Pierre Champagne

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of (Joseph Louis) Pierre Champagne, a beloved husband, father, brother and friend. He is predeceased by his parents, Albert and Aurilla (Bougie) Champagne and his siblings, Claire (Brissette), Gilles, Paul and Robert.

Born March 17, 1934 in Montreal, Pierre lived a remarkable life filled with adventure, accomplishment, friendship, family and, above all, love. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1954, serving for 11 years across Canada. His Air Force years were among the most formative and cherished of his life. Pierre met his beloved wife Colleen, graduated from St. Mary’s University (B. Comm) and made lifelong friends during those years.

In 1959, Pierre married Colleen O’Flynn in Halifax. Together they built a life that took them across Canada and around the world. They had three children: Denise, Paul and Marcel, creating a lifetime of memories along the way. Marcel’s husband, David, also became an important part of the family. Pierre comes from a large family and is survived by his sisters, Denise and Laure, as well as many nieces and nephews.

After leaving the Air Force in 1965, Pierre and Colleen settled in Candiac (outside of Montreal) where he began a long and distinguished career with Transport Canada. In the mid-1980s, Pierre and Colleen relocated to Ottawa and towards the end of his career, Pierre was responsible for all Canadian airports except Toronto – a fact he was very proud to point out. His career allowed him to travel extensively across Canada, from coast to coast, including the Arctic and Territories.

A highlight of his career was an appointment to attend a senior studies program at the National Defence College in Kingston, Ontario, along with other senior military and government officials from other Commonwealth countries. The year-long course allowed him to travel globally and establish more lifelong friendships from around the world.

Following retirement in the mid-1990s, Pierre and Colleen returned to Halifax. The two travelled extensively together, visiting numerous countries and taking countless cruises. For Pierre, travel was not simply about seeing places—it was about experiencing the world with Colleen, his lifelong companion and best friend.

Pierre loved golf and was an avid player. One of his proudest golfing moments came when he scored a hole-in-one at Ashburn Golf Course in Halifax. He loved watching sports of all kinds, but hockey held a special place in his heart. His team being the Montreal Canadiens.

An accomplished amateur painter, he shared his paintings and watercolours with family and friends as well as donated many for charitable events. Pierre also enjoyed the finer—or at least more enjoyable—things in life. He loved his sherry and had a particular fondness for wine that met his own exacting standard: it had to be “red, wet and cheap”.

Pierre was blessed with a wonderful sense of humour and loved telling jokes and pulling people’s legs with silly stories. His humour and quick wit were a defining part of who he was, and those who knew him will remember not only what he accomplished, but the laughter he brought with him.

After retirement, Pierre continued to give back to the community and served for several years on the Board of Directors of the Halifax Airport Authority and the Nova Scotia Airshow allowing him to remain connected to an industry and a place that had been such an important part of his life.

Pierre’s life was, in many ways, a life of service, adventure and friendship. But at the centre of it all was Colleen. Their marriage of more than six decades was the foundation of his life. They travelled the world together, raised a family together, made lifelong friends together, and shared countless adventures. Colleen was, without question, the love of Pierre’s life.

Pierre will be remembered for his love of family, his pride in Canada, his Air Force spirit, his passion for travel, golf, painting, hockey and his stories and humor. He leaves behind a lifetime of memories for his family and the many friends who were fortunate enough to know him.

He will be deeply missed and forever loved.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Parkinson Society Canada.