John Stephen DeChamplain of 15 Boulay Street, Berlin passed away unexpectedly due to a fall in his home late Sunday evening, March 3, 2019. He had been born in that home and lived there all of his life—80 years come July.
John graduated from Notre Dame High School in 1957 and went on to graduate from St. Anselm’s College in Manchester. He worked his entire career at the Berlin paper mill, the Brown Company, then James River Corp., in the accounting department.
Challenged by cerebral palsy, John enjoyed exercises of the mind. He was a lifelong reader (a fan of Stephen King), and enjoyed crossword puzzles, movies, politics, and travel.
While initially an active member of St. Joseph Church, in later years he served at St. Anne Church of Good Shepherd Parish by singing in the choir and reading as a lector.
Civic service was important to John. His notable services involved being Treasurer of the Lions Club, a member of the Knights of Columbus, serving the Berlin Housing Authority, being Ward Clerk for Precinct 1 (1989-2019), volunteering at St. Kieran’s Community Center for the Arts, and a member of the Marie Riviere Associates.
John is survived by his brother Dr. Richard William DeChamplain (Edwina) of Greenville, SC; nieces Jennifer DeChamplain Auficht (Cody) of Southlake, TX, and Dr. Suzanne Dechamplain Renfro (John, III “Trip”) of Greenville, SC; nephew Dr. Richard Edwin DeChamplain (Laura) of Georgetown, SC; and ten great-nieces and nephews—all of whom loved him dearly. John was predeceased by his father William John DeChamplain, his mother Iphigenie DeChamplain.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1 PM on Saturday, March 9th at St. Anne Church of Good Shepherd Parish, followed by a drive by the St. Kieran Cemetery where John will be laid to rest alongside his parents. Relatives and friends may pay their respects at Bryant Funeral Home, 180 Hillside Ave, Berlin, NH on Saturday, March 9th from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice.
For online condolences, please visit www.bryantfuneralhome.net.