OBITUARY

Father Roger G. Champigny, 78

Posted

PROVIDENCE — Rev. Roger G. Champigny, 78, pastor emeritus of St. Catherine Church, Warwick, died Oct. 9.

Born in Pawtucket, he was the son of the late Albany Joseph and Rosaline (Lanoue) Champigny. He attended St. Cecilia School and St. Raphael Academy in Pawtucket.

In preparation for the priesthood, he studied at Our Lady of Providence Seminary, Warwick Neck, and St. Paul Seminary in Ottawa, Canada.

He was ordained a priest on June 4, 1960 in the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul in Providence by Bishop Russell J. McVinney.

After a summer assignment at Assumption Church in Providence, Father Champigny served as assistant pastor in the following churches: St. John, Slatersville (1960-63); St. Joan of Arc, Cumberland (1963-71); and St. Jude, Lincoln (1971-77).

In 1975 he was appointed Moderator of Mt. St. Francis Day Care Center in Woonsocket and in September 1977, pastor of Christ the King Church, West Warwick. In July 1990, he was transferred to St. Catherine Church and remained there until his retirement as pastor emeritus in July 2005.

In his retirement, Father Champigny lived at St. John Vianney Residence, Providence and recently at the Villa at St. Antoine, North Smithfield.

He is survived by a brother, Norman R. Champigny of Seekonk, Mass., and several nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Holy Union Sister Paul Rita Champigny.

A Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial for the repose of his soul was offered at St. Catherine Church, Warwick on October 13 with Bishop Thomas J. Tobin as the main celebrant and Bishops Robert C. Evans and Louis E. Gelineau concelebrating. Msgr. Gerard O. Sabourin was the homilist. Burial was in Notre Dame Cemetery, Pawtucket.