James “Jimmy” Champagne, Jr.

James “Jimmy” F. Champagne Jr. April 13, 1953 – April 19, 2026

Our strong, stubborn softie, James “Jimmy” F. Champagne Jr., passed away peacefully at home on April 19th, 2026. Born on April 13th, 1953, in Syracuse, NY, Jimmy was the kind of man whose love showed up in action. If he cared about you—and he cared about many—you never had to wonder. He would give you his time, his hands, his stories, or the shirt off his back without hesitation.

Jimmy had a gift for bringing engines back to life. There wasn’t a motor too big or too small that he couldn’t coax into running again, and he used that talent to support his family throughout his life. His heart belonged to classic cars, Chevy trucks, Harley-Davidsons, camping, and the kind of stories that only someone who grew up in a bustling home with eight siblings (Sandy, Juanita, Dawn, Fran, Johnny, Jerry, Terri, and Laurie) could tell. Those stories grew richer over the years as they came to include his 24 nieces and nephews and 28 great-nieces and nephews—each one a thread in the tapestry of a family he loved fiercely.

Jimmy leaves behind two daughters who were the pride of his life: Stacey (Marty) and Lisa (Steve). He is also survived by his grandchildren—Champagne, Lynsei (David), Cody (Leslie), Jordan (Hannah), Dalton (Aaliyah), Karlie, and Mason—along with his great-grandchildren: Ryder, Lily, Trevor, and Adrian. Every one of them carries a piece of his spirit forward.

He is reunited now with his beloved wife, Denise; his parents, James F. Sr. and Emily; his sister, Frances;his brother, Jerry; and his nephew, Ryan. We take comfort in knowing they are together again.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Jimmy’s honor on June 6, 2026, at 1:00 PM at The American Legion, 135 Manlius St, East Syracuse, NY 13057. Family and friends are invited to come share stories, laughter, and memories of a man who lived with grit, heart, and a love that ran deep.

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