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- Obituary:
Coventry, RI - Rollo F. Champlin, “Champ”, CAPT. C.P.D. Ret., passed away on March 2, 2021 at his beloved home in Coventry on his 86th birthday. Rollo was married to Mary E. (Rathbun) Champlin on September 29, 1962 at Meshanticut Baptist Church in Cranston, RI. They had been married for 58 years.
Born in East Greenwich, RI, the son of the late Gladys (Remington) Champlin and the late Chauncey E. Champlin Sr., he spent his entire life in Coventry. He is predeceased by his cherished brother Chauncey E. Champlin, Jr, and by his sister Joan (Champlin) Greene.
He was the proud father of four daughters: Cheryl A. McCulley & her husband John of Littleton, CO; Cynthia L. Durkin & her husband Sean of Coventry; Susan N. Pimental & her husband Michael of Greene, and Sherry L. Champlin of West Warwick. Rollo was a loving and devoted grandfather also known as “Putt Putt” to his 10 grandchildren: Erin McCulley of Buffalo Grove, IL; Lauren McCulley of Denver, CO; Matthew & Zachary Durkin of Coventry; Nathanael, Jacob & Jared Pimental of Greene, and Ava, Aubrey & Adrianna Carsetti of West Warwick.
Rollo was a baseball and basketball player at the old Knotty Oak Coventry High School where he graduated in 1952. As a young man, Rollo worked as a milkman for Remington's Dairy while volunteering at the Anthony Fire Department for 11 years. He became one of the 1st permanent fireman in the Town of Coventry. He also joined the Coventry Police as a Special Officer. In fact, at one point he wore two uniforms, fire and police, serving in both capacities. He started his police career as a part-time officer, moving to full-time and was promoted to Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, and Acting Chief of the Coventry Police Department, serving the Town of Coventry for 32 years. While working as a police officer, Rollo also attended Bryant College and transferred to Salve Regina College graduating with an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice in 1974.
Being a police officer was his dream following in the footsteps of his grandfather, J. Francis Remington. He highly valued education and was extremely proud of his four daughters who all earned college degrees. Belonging to the Masonic Fraternity, Rollo was a 63-year member of Manchester Lodge No. 12 F&AM, Anthony. He loved NASCAR racing, hardly ever missing a race. He spent many weekends "going to the races". He would attend races at Seekonk Speedway on Friday, Stafford Springs on Saturday and then Thompson, CT on Sundays following his favorite local modified driver, Mike Stefanik, from Coventry.
Rollo was an avid Boston Red Sox, Boston Celtics, Boston Bruins and New England Patriots fan. There was hardly a time that he was not watching sports. He loved Chevrolet trucks, country music (especially Johnny Cash), and camping with his family on Johnson's Pond at Camp Ayoho.
He loved the Town of Coventry and particularly enjoyed reminiscing about the history of the biggest town in the State of Rhode Island. Rollo was well known for his easygoing personality, dedication, smile, famous family lines and especially for his sense of dignity. He was a man of high character living life based on his Masonic teachings of “friendship, morality, brotherly love, relief and truth”.
Visitation will be held at Carpenter-Jenks Funeral Home, 659 East Greenwich Avenue, West Warwick, RI on Sunday, March 7 from 9:00 – 11:00 AM. In accordance with our current health guidelines, face masks must be worn, and social distancing practiced. Attendance inside the funeral home will be always limited. Due to the restrictions of our current health guidelines, his funeral service will be private. Burial will be in Woodland Annex Cemetery, Coventry, will be private.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to Coventry Police Department in memory of Captain Rollo F. Champlin to establish a living memorial for all deceased Coventry Police Officers, 60 Wood Street, Coventry, RI 02816, or to Masonic Grand Lodge Charities of RI, 222 Taunton Avenue, East Providence, RI 02914 would be greatly appreciated. Condolences may also be offered to his family and remembrances of Rollo shared online at www.carpenterjenks.com.
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1935 - 2021 (86 years)
