Raymond A. Champi

Raymond A. Champi, 75, of North Myrtle Beach, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 21, 2023 at his residence surrounded by family and friends. His complete selflessness, arch sense of humor, and unconditional loyalty will be missed by all those who knew him.

He was the loving husband of Joyce M. (Amero) Champi to whom he was happily married for 49 years. Ray is also survived by a son, Stephen M. Champi (Eva) and a daughter, Jill M. Day (Richard), four grandsons - Camden, Nathan, Ryan, Caleb - and two sisters, Cynthia Dunn (Joseph) and Susan Shore.

The son of the late William J. and Annie R. (Daher) Champi, Ray was born on October 11, 1947 in Lawrence, MA. He spent the first 40+ years of his life in northeast Massachusetts before moving south with his family to Simsbury, CT in the early 1990s and then west to St. Charles, IL at the turn of the century. After a decade-and-a-half in the Midwest, Ray and Joyce retired to the warmer climate of North Myrtle Beach, SC to live out Ray's dream of becoming the best average golfer in the continental United States. Armed with more than just mid-level golf skills, Ray quickly became a valued member of the community, the Treasurer for the Community Kitchen, and the man who "got things done" for friends and neighbors.

A graduate of Lowell Technological Institute, Ray began his professional career in Accounting at The Hartford and Honeywell before leveraging his outgoing personality and natural leadership skills in Sales and Marketing management roles at ITT and Waldom Electronics. He ultimately retired as the Director of Sales for SPX Hydraulic Technologies in 2011.

A blessing service will begin at 11:00 AM on Friday, September 15th at the Lee Funeral Home and Crematory, 11840 Highway 90, Little River SC. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Community Kitchen of Myrtle Beach, 1411 Mr. Joe White Ave, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 and/or The American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org).

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.leefhandcrematory.com for the Champi family.