John Joseph Champlin, Jr.

John Champlin Jr, 73, of South Kingstown passed away on Tuesday, April 29th surrounded by his loving family. Born in South Kingstown to his parents, the late John and Hope (Gardiner) Champlin. He was the loving husband of Kimberly (Ainsworth) Champlin for 15 years.

He graduated from South Kingstown High School where he spent his most loved time on the baseball diamond playing second base. Following High School, John was invited to try out for the Kansas City Royals, however just before team selection he chose to return home to his family. He spent the next 35+ years as a commercial fisherman out of Galilee running family fishing boats alongside his brother, Richard Champlin following in their father’s (John Champlin) and grandfather’s (Leon “Brownie” Champlin) footsteps.

John left the fishing industry to open his own restaurant, Fairwinds, on Boon Street in Narragansett for many years. Following the closing of the restaurant John worked at Benny’s in town and helped to run the camp store at Burlingame with his sister and brother-in-law, Rose and Randy Lamb.

When not working, John enjoyed walking along the beach, finding seashells, driftwood and sea glass which he enjoyed making into memorable pieces of art. He also possessed a love of animals throughout his life and kept his love for baseball and softball, playing in many recreational leagues into his 60's. John was not a man of many words, but when he did choose to partake in conversation, he would often have a quick-witted comment eliciting an eye roll or laughter from those lucky enough to be around him.

Besides his wife, John leaves behind his loving children, Heather Champlin and her spouse Ryan Drake; Brandon Champlin and his wife Becky Champlin; and Ashlie Champlin and her partner Brittany Lewis. He is also survived by his siblings Richard Champlin and his wife Linda (Carpenter) Champlin, Cheryl (Champlin) Dyer and her late husband Rowland Dyer Jr., and Rose (Champlin) Lamb and her husband Randy Lamb. John also leaves behind his grandchildren Virginia Keister, Kelley Drake, Austin Champlin, Alexis Champlin and Nolan Champlin. In addition, he is survived by many nieces and nephews as well as extended family from his previous and current marriage.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday May 10th from 11am –2pm at the Elks Lodge, 60 Belmont Ave, Wakefield RI.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Point Judith Fisherman’s Scholarship Fund, Inc., PO Box 386, Narragansett RI 02882.