Morris Romeo Champagne

Divisions Served: “A,” “C,” HQ

Medals and Honours: 12 Years Special Service Medal (RCAF), NATO (RCAF)

Pillar Location: Coming soon

Story: 

Moe grew up in Ottawa and always wanted to be a Mountie! Moe attended St Patrick’s College in Ottawa and at the age of 20 he went to the RCMP recruiting center but was told he was too thin and to come back when he put on some weight!

Moe decided to join the Royal Canadian Air Force and served from 1953 – 1975. He started as a Leading Aircraftman (LAC) – Aircraft Refinishing Technician and worked on many aircrafts, including the CF100, DC-3 Dakota, North Star, and the Voodoo. Moe then transferred to Radio Operator – short wave along the DEW Line in Northern Canada. While in Whitehorse, Yukon, he transferred to the Maintenance Engineering Branch. Moe was posted across Canada and served three years in SHAPE Belgium. In 1968 while he served in the RCAF, he attended Ottawa University and Sir George Williams University working towards a Bachelor of Commerce.

After retiring from the RCAF, Moe joined the RCMP in Sept 1974 as a Special Constable. Moe was the seasoned veteran at Depot and helped out many of his Troop. He served until Dec 1989 as a LES 4 Special Constable – Supervisor. He had a wide range of interesting postings including: Protection Control, working with new radars, security at the Ottawa International Airport, and VIP Protection with the Governor General Troop where he looked after Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau and his family, Governor Generals Edward Schreyer, and Jeanne Sauvé, and the Embassies. His final posting was with the Special Forces at Dwyer Hill. While in the Mounties he obtained a Diploma in Accounting – with Honours.

Moe loved being a Mountie – he enjoyed helping people in any capacity. He did not judge, he always stated, “do not judge until you have walked a mile in someone else’s shoes.” He enjoyed training and teaching new Mounties.

Upon retiring from the RCMP Moe was very involved in the community helping with the Advisory Committee for the Victorian Order of Nurses for seniors. Moe sang in the “Red Birds” choir. He enjoyed woodworking and carving – especially birds. Moe and his wife Grace had a fifth wheel trailer and travelled Canada and the US extensively. Moe sadly passed away in Victoria BC on 14 April 2013 from cancer at the age of 80.