Roger B. Champagne

NORTH FALMOUTH - Judge Roger B. Champagne, 86, of North Falmouth, formerly of Taunton, died at Cape Cod Hospital on Sept. 27, 2007.

He was the husband of Eleanore M. (Dussault) Champagne.

Judge Champagne was born and raised in Taunton, graduating from Taunton High School in 1939.

From 1942 to 1945 he served in WWII, as a member of the Army's counterintelligence unit and participated in battles in the Rhineland and Central Europe. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for valor, the Victory Medal, and the European African Middle Eastern Theatre Campaign Ribbon.

After being honorably discharged, he graduated from Boston University in 1947 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Law Degree from Boston University in 1949.

From 1957 to 1959 he served as a U.S. district attorney for Massachusetts.

He worked as a practicing attorney in Taunton for many years and also continued to serve in the Army Reserves until 1973, when he retired as a captain.

In 1961 he was appointed special justice of the Taunton District Court by former Gov. John A. Volpe. He later was appointed a full-time justice with the Barnstable District Court, retiring in 1992.

During retirement he stayed active with private consulting in legal matters, mediation and arbitration.

He was on the board of directors of Gosnold, and was a member of the American Bar Association, Boston University Alumni Club of Cape Cod, Franco American Club in Taunton, and various veterans groups.

Besides his wife, he is survived by his children, Ellen T. Matesanz and her husband Jorge of Albion, R.I., Paula M. Champagne of North Falmouth, and Roger B. Champagne Jr. and his wife Jill of Bethesda, Md.; a sister, Lorraine C. Durling of Cranston, R.I.; four grandchildren, David C. Matesanz of New York, N.Y., Roger B. Champagne III, James B. Champagne, and Jacqueline L. Champagne, all of Bethesda; and several nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 30, 2007 in Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 584 West Falmouth Highway (Route 28A), West Falmouth.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9:45 a.m. on Monday at St. Elizabeth Seton Church, 481 Quaker Road, North Falmouth, followed by burial at Massachusetts National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Gosnold of Cape Cod, PO Box 929, Falmouth, MA 02541.

For online guest book and directions, visit www.ccgfuneralhome.com