A little over 10 years ago, I was blessed to be hired by Fr. Champlin as development director for the Guardian Angel Society.  I had the great honor of working with him on a day-to-day basis with the goal to help disadvantaged children that come from below poverty households to attend Cathedral School, now the Cathedral Academy at Pompei, and then to continue on to Bishop Grimes, Bishop Ludden, and CBA.  Today we have enjoyed the satisfaction of a few of these children going onto college with big dreams.  Fr. Champlin was such an inspiration to me and my family.  I am so honored to have had the opportunity to have known him and I will never forget him.  It is my goal to carry on his vision in the years to come, along with the community and Guardian Angel Society members to fulfill Fr. Champlin's dream.

Kathy Fedrizzi
Development Director
Fr. Champlin's Guardian Angel Society

Father Champlin was one of the most beautiful people I have ever met.  He married my husband and myself almost 33 years ago and he baptized my two daughters.  We have always kept in touch and he has never forgotten any one in my family.  He was a saint and I mean that with all my heart.  He will be missed tremendously by many people. God Bless him

Our family was  blessed to have know Father Champlin when he was pastor at St. Joseph's Church in Camillus.  What an experience that was.  There was never a time when father had a homily that people were looking at their watches.  Father had that very special way of presenting his homily that had everyone listening.
We had young children at that time and of course, they said they will forever remember father standing out in front of church no matter what the weather was (and in winter months with his dozen of different pairs of earmuffs on) waving good by to everyone leaving the parking lot.
I was also a religious education teacher and will remember how father's eyes would  glow as the young children would rush to him for a hug.  We have a wonderful picture of father with our daughter, Becky, when she was about 8 years old.  We were at a breakfast with Santa and father  had sat down with her on the stage wtih a santa hat on.  They both had a huge smile on their faces!
Father had talked with the parents of my son's First Communion class in preparation for the sacrament.  I will always remember the remark that father had made to parents, if the foundation is set for these children at an early age, don't worry if they stray from the church as teen agers, and they will stray. That is normal.  However, with the foundation thata you have set, they always return back. I have shared that thought with so many friends as our children got older and we all found how right father was.
Father Champlin ALWAYS had time for you whether you were a child or an adult and you felt so much better after talking with him.  We were so lucky at St. Joseph's to have had him as our paster and our family will cherish the wonderful memories, both personal and spiritual.

I grew up in St. Joseph's in Camillus, and fondly remember Father Champlin's years there as pastor. He was gentle, kind, and loving. And he always made it a point to walk around the church prior to each Mass to greet people, shake hands, and talk to children. Like Mary Klementowski's experience, Father Champlin told my mother that she had set a good foundation, and even though, for a while, I strayed very far away from the Catholic Church, he said that I would return. Today I am a full-time member of the Pastoral Team at St. Margaret's Church in Homer ministering to the great people in that congregation. And at each Mass I attend, I walk around and greet people, and shake hands, and talk to the youth, because that is what Father Champlin taught me to do by his example. And I think often of Father Champlin as I am greeting people. Father Champlin, along with his good freind, Father John Finnegan, were the greatest influences on me as a younger man, and I hope as a lay person I am able to continue ministering in this diocese for years to come as a tribute to what both Father Champlin and Father Finnegan modeled for me in terms of how to really minister to people. Thank you Father Champlin for your presence, your wisdom, your words, and your faith. Enjoy your birth into God's eternal life!

The words "Well done, good and faithful servant" seem to fit perfectly in regard to this gentle man.  He has made our world a better place, and I will always be grateful for his example.

I had the priveledge of being on Fr Champlin's FIRST Parish council when he was assigned to St Joseph's Church...He never was anything less than a perfect gentleman and earned the respect of the whole congregation...When people talk of the perfect priest..he comes to my mind.
Our family wishes condolences to his loved ones...
May he rest in peace <><

Father Champlin became our Priest at St. Joes when I was 8, I made my First Communion while he was there, he married my husband and I, he baptized my Son and Daughter, My 2 nieces and my Nephew and he married my Brother and his wife. He was honestly the most " holy" person I have ever met and has been the most influential person in my life.  To be in his presence was to be close to god. He was very important to my family and we were blessed to have been able to say good bye to him in Oct at my younger brothers wedding as we knew how ill he was and knew that it would probably be the last time we would see him. I live in Indiana now and don't get to Syracuse that often. I will miss him, but will be ever thankful that he touched my life and the lives of my family...

Helen and I had the honor of knowing Fr. Champlin at St. Joseph's Church. Father was a kind and loving man.  He was an inspiration and his homily's always had your attention. I am sure that our Lord still has much work for him to continue doing. We will miss him.

May he rest in peace.

The first time I  met Father when he was assigned to reside at St. Joseph's. He met  my family and I as we entered church; he asked each of us our names and never forgot them from that day on. He welcomed us each Sunday by name and I was so impressed that he would make that effort  not just for us, but for everyone at St. Joe's.
As the years passed that was just the first of many things that made a lasting impression on my life and the lives of my  husband and kids

My children have made many moves around the country in the 30 plus years since we met Father, and everywhere they attend church they are seeking a Father Champlin. Unfortunately for us and the Church there aren't enough.

I will always miss him and pray that he is with his mother  who he loved so dearly.

Kathy Anthony

I too knew Fr. Champlin from his days at St. Joe's in Camillus. A wise and wonderful man, with such a gentle smile. He was a gift from God for each of us who met him. Yes, truly a "good and faithful servant," well deserving of his reward in heaven. My deepest sympathy to his family and friends.

We are all more than fortunate to have had this holy, gifted man in our lives .More than 10 years ago, Father Champlin asked us to be part of the music ministry at Cathedral. Little did we know that it would change forever the lives of each and every musician, of every religious denomination, who worked in his presence. His obvious love of all kinds of music, his deep understanding of the passion that drives what all musicians do,was so meaningful to us and will continue to be an inspiration to us along our life path. He valued the worth of every individual on this planet and their God given talents whatever they happened to be. He made everyone in his presence feel special and appreciated....what a blessing he was to this community...it is difficult to describe the depth of our love for Fr Champlin .....
Maria DeSantis
and members of
The Mario DeSantis Orchestra

I first met Fr. Champlin back in 1957 as a teen @ The Cathedral. I went to Central High School and he taught the religious Ed classes on monday afternoons for the Public school kids. he formed the first & only junior Legion of Mary for us and what a fantastic teacher he was. he later married my husband & I and baptized 3 of my children. he has always ben an inspiration & influence in my life. I'm a commissioned lay minister for St Anthony of Padua in Syracuse. His many books have been a treasure to read. He will be missed, but we have  many memories  to keep in our hearts.

Father Champlin was a spectacular man, to say the least.  I was fortunate to cross paths with Father Champlin close to 9 years ago when my husband and I decided to marry at the Cathedral.  Immediately after meeting with him, we decided to become parishioners there.  Each week, he referred to us as "Love Birds" until he came to know our names a few weeks later.  Every now and then, he would ask us to do a little more for the Cathedral, and we greatly accepted his invitations.  Father Champlin had an extraordinary talent to make everybody he met feel special.

I feel so incredibly fortunate to have been married by him and to have had my children baptized by him.  All three ceremonies were deeply touching and so spiritual.

I will miss Father Champlin deeply and always remember him fondly.  It's a sad, sad day even though I know the angels in heaven are rejoicing.

Ah the memories of Father Champlin when he was the parish Priest for Holy Family Church in Fulton, NY.  He ran the religious Ed. classes for the Teens (1972).  It was Father Champlin who brought the teens back to the church and touched our hearts with his genuine love for us all. As a young girl I went to church because I was 'supposed' to, as a teen I went to church becasue I 'wanted' to and it's all because of dear Father Champlin. I hadn't seen Father in over 30 years when I happened to see him about 7 years ago walking around the Cathedral in Syracuse and you know, he remember me!  Now that's truly amazing but he was an amazing man. A great loss but now he's enjoying his reward in heaven.

Who would have ever thought that a small country church in Warner's could be graced with Father Champlin?  He was famous.  In the short time we had him, all of us knew how fortunate we were.  We think that he enjoyed it there, too.  I'm sure that I can say that all of the members of Our Lady of Good Counsel are mourning his loss.  He had a great sense if humor and was amazing to listen too.

I only new Father Champlan a short time.  He made a be impact on my life and on my granddaughter,s life.  We loved him and will miss him..

We were privileged,in the last couple of years, to have Father Champlin preside
at a parent's memorial mass, a daughter's wedding, and the baptism my daughter's  first child. At the recent baptism Father Champlin took time to greet our families with great warmth and hugs for all. Although Father struggled with a harsh cough that day, he nevertheless performed a beautiful ceremony with a homily that was very meaningful, with a bit of his wit and storytelling included. Following the ceremony he graciously posed for pictures with the family. His love, warmth and friendship is a blessing our family shall always cherish.

It has been about 8 years since Father Champlin became a very important person in my life.  I started attending Masses at the Cathedral and the homilies that he delivered were so inspirational and the welcoming spirit he brought to Mass just made you want to be there. His pulpit exchanges brought the knowlege of different faiths to the Cathedral.  He would try to acknowledge all visitors to Mass and made everyone welcome there.  As the years went on, he married two of my daughters and baptized all of my five grandchildren.  Before each of these ceremonies he would visit with the attendees and find out something about each person there.  My daughter Ashley who is a senior at Canisius now was one of the young high school students who worked as a receptionist at the Catheral during Father's time there.
The only difficult part of the job she would say was "deciphering Father's writing".  
I began working for Father's Guardian Angel Society as a part time office assistant about two years ago .  Working alongside Kathy Fedrizzi and seeing what has been brought to the lives of so many young students through the Society's extraordinary efforts is and always will be inspiration to carry on Father's works through his Guardian Angel Society.   The memories are many and and I and my family are so blessed to have had Father Champlin in our lives.  We will never forget you.  Rest in peace my friend.

Father Joseph Champlin was a great man who touched so many lives. As a parishioner of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in downtown Syracuse, I have many fond memories of Father Champlin that I will cherish and remember for the rest of my life including the day Father Champlin married my husband, Mark and I in July of 2004. To have him be present on such a special day for me is something I will never forgot. I am very grateful that I have the ceremony on DVD so that as the years go on, I can watch it and remember just how special he was. I will also remember his warm caring heart. In May of 2005, when I was pregnant with my first child, my grandfather died in Italy. I remember it was the Saturday morning of Memorial Day weekend and I called Father Champlin and asked him if there was any possibility that we could say a special mass in my grandfather's honor that Sunday evening at 5:10PM. He immediately agree to celebrate that Sunday evening's mass in honor of my grandfather and it was a very uplifting and beautiful mass that really meant alot to my entire family. Father Champlin was always there for you when you needed him no matter what! He was always only a phone call away. I will never forgot the day, 5 years ago, when I attended the mass where he announced to the parish about his cancer. There was not a dry eye in the house. Everyone was hurting for Father Champlin that day. However, through it all he continued to demostrate such courage and strengh. I also remember the final mass that he celebrated at the Cathedral. It was a special mass in his honor and I can remember crying as Father Champlin was walking down the aisle, as the congregation clapped real loud, he happen to see me crying as he was walking past me and he stopped to give me a hug and when I said, "Father, I will miss you so much, you are an amazing man!" I looked up into his eyes and at that moment I knew I was in the presence of a true holy man! The sprirituality that he possess and exudes onto others is amazing! To be in his presence was truly to be in the presence of God.
Father Champlin - Rest in Peace where you are. You fought a long hard fight and now the Lord God has called you, his Guardian Angel, home to rest. Thank you so much, from the bottom of my heart, for being such a special part of my life and for teaching me, among other things, to always just "place it all in God's hands" and he will take care of everything! I love you Father Champlin and God Bless You always!
With Love,
Maria B.
North Syracuse, NY

Father Champlin was at the Cathederal in the mid 60's and I was a young working girl in the City.  His homiles were such an inspiration to me then and now through his books.  He married my husband and I and at the rehearsal we discovered that his brother Charlie and my brother *** were best frineds in California. I will miss Father deeply.  With love Karen S.

When Father  was our  pastor  here in Fulton  we  were blessed ! What a wonderful man  and  friend  he was to my whole  family!~ <Many times he  came  to vist ...   it was  an  awesome  sight  to see him  riding his  bike  all over  town.  he  was so himble   and down to  earth ! He visited my  elderly  mom  often  which  made her  day. ..   we were so heart  broken when  he left our  fair  city. He will always be  remebered.!    he will be missed  
Angela  and  family January 19th

When Father  was our  pastor  here in Fulton  we  were blessed ! What a wonderful man  and  friend  he was to my whole  family!~ <Many times he  came  to vist ...   it was  an  awesome  sight  to see him  riding his  bike  all over  town.  he  was so himble   and down to  earth ! He visited my  elderly  mom  often  which  made her  day. ..   we were so heart  broken when  he left our  fair  city. He will always be  remebered.!    he will be missed  
Angela  and  family January 19th

Fr Joe was a good friend to all our family along with countless others.He married our children and baptized 7 out of 9 grandchildren. People who never knew him always commented at the weddings what a beautiful person he was.He's been there through sicknesses and health.Could listen to him talk for ever. He was always so prepared.We wish he didn't have to go yet. He had so much to give and there was always one more book in him. And wouldn't he have loved being Grand Marshall of St Pats parade.WE know he is in a better place and not suffering anymore, for that we should be grateful to the Lord ,but oh how we all will  miss him.I will still seek his council,and pray to him to watch over all of us when ever the need arises.Peace Fr Joe and know you are so missed, Katie and John Kane and family

i loved him a lot i whent to our lady of  good council church you are so missed

love, Meghan, Shane, Emmey, Linda, Jerry, Walt, Dee Dum, and Duke and Sam. we love you a lot i liked seeing you run and walk by my house

I'm thankful for many things in my life, but one of the things I'm most thankful for is my relationship with Father Champlin.  Father was at Holy Family in Fulton when I made my First Communion, and he made it so special.  There are many special memories when he was in Fulton.  He remained close to our family, and shared his special piece of heaven with us in Skaneateles.  Our yearly vacations were there with my entire family.  Even as the family grew we still gathered at the lake, and Father would come and take his swim.   At the lake we cherished the memories,  our family and the beautiful lake that God has given to us.  The night Father died alittle piece of me died, because he was instrumental in my faith and our family.  Hugs and Kisses to our shining star.

Msgr. Champlin was a long time friend to all my family.  He was there when our brother died very suddenly and four months later when we lost our mother.  He even gave a homily on her on Mothers day after her death,  How special is that!
A year ago he traveled to Rochester,NY to celebrate my 50th Jubilee Mass as a Sister of St. Joseph.  He left a lastly impression on all those who experienced Father Champlin for the first time.
May all who knew him, forever remember him as always being there for them.

Francella Quinn SSJ

Father Champlin=Peace

Peace in  P-Prayer
You said to take some time out of our day just to be with God

Peace for E-Everyone
It was your dream that Christians, Jewish People and Muslims could all live in peace with one another

Peace in A-All you said in did
As a son, brother, friend, teacher, priest, writer, and “father”
You brought peace to all those you met throughout your life just by a smile,
hugs, words,  a homily, or a high five.

Peace in C-Church and the Community
Teaching us and showing us how to walk with God by your words and actions- homilies, hospital visits, baptisms, weddings, funerals, Guardian Angel Society, books, lectures, radio, friendships………..

Peace in E-Eternal Life
We all know that you are peaceful in heaven with our beloved Jesus Christ, but our tears flow as we will miss you so.
You have shown us peace on Earth by living  the daily walk with God,
Your peaceful ways will never be forgotten, as we journey on,  
your inspiration and guidiance will always be a part in what we say and do
As you are at peace, so we shall be too, as we remember you always
So we say to you today  
“Peace be with you Father Champlin, and we know you’ll be saying from up above
“And also with you.”

We love and miss you,
The Brussel Family

How sad when we heard of Father Champlin's passing.  We live in Texas now but were very fortunate to see Father this past August when he said Mass and gave a beautiful  homily at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Warners.  Somehow we knew that he was very ill and probably wouldn't be with us much longer.  Father was still able to remember our names and know where we now lived and announced from the pulpit we were visiting from Texas.  What a remarkable man and Priest!  We will always remember him for all the good he has done and all the lives he has touched.  It is time for him to be with those who have gone before him.  May he rest in peace.  We love him so much.

Ray and Shirley Vallilee and family

I will always remember Father Champlin fondly from his days as the Pastor at St. Joe's in Camillus.  He would always greet members of the congregation personally before mass started each week.  He knew how to keep the congregations attention during a sermon with his wonderful homilies and stories.  The children especially were riveted as he told some of his stories with puppets.  I remember him at times inviting some of the children on to the alter as he gave his homilies.  As we left mass each week, no matter the weather, he would stand outside and wave to us all as we drove off.  In the winter he would always have different ear muffs on each week.  Father honored my parents at their 40th wedding anniversary during mass and then renewed their vows for them.  It was incredible.   The stories I personally have as to how he touched me and my family are too numerous to mention.  

I also had the honor of going to one of the retreats he gave right before it was announced he was ill.    I will never forget the incredible feeling of faith I felt when I left that evening.

What a gift our community was given with Father Joe.  He touched all he met, Catholic or otherwise, with his true faith and kindness.  He will be truly missed however we are all better to have known him.  Heaven surely is rejoicing and I know his path to heaven was immediate.  God bless Father Joe.  Watch over us all and keep us in your prayers as we are keeping you in ours.

Christine  

Father Champlin - was the best Priest.  I alwasys looked forward to his kind smile each week and will miss that very much.  He always had a kind word to say and was alway happy to see you.

Father Champlin, you have been loved and will countine to be loved and missed.  I will forever keep you in my prays.

On Christmas Eve 2007 my brother posed a question to me. “So, next to the Pope, would you say that Father Champlin is the person closest to God that you’ve ever known?”  I’ve thought about that question over and over again since last Friday morning when I learned of Father Joe’s passing.  Since then I’ve cried a lot, felt sorry for myself for my loss, felt sorrow for his brother and sister and their families, felt really mad that Father had to leave all of us whose lives he touched, felt bad that he had to suffer so, felt relieved that he would no longer have to suffer and felt joy and peace knowing that he is with the God he so loved and faithfully served throughout his life.  

I’ve read all the newspaper and Internet articles about him, watched the TV coverage and listened on the radio as so many who have been touched by him have reflected on their memories of him.  Each time, my eyes welled up with tears and I’d think they’ve got it right—that’s him—Father Champlin, Father C., Father Joe—the athlete, the runner; noble, gracious, gentle man; loving, caring, sensitive, compassionate human being; confessor, spiritual director, the priests’ priest; a twinkle in his eye, a friendly smile and a hug, and always some candy in his pocket for the kids; always providing support and giving encouragement every step of the way to those in need, whether it was a difficult and life changing decision to be made, helping someone with a problem without ever being judgmental, finding out a family member had died and showing up that evening at our house for several hours ministering to all that night and then at the funeral Mass; a prolific writer and author of many books; an articulate preacher and retreat master which led him to become a world traveler; a mediator who convened and helped settle disputes or strikes (ie. West Genesee School District and at Nestles’ in Fulton); a mentor to teens and youngsters in his parishes and at Cathedral School and through his beloved Guardian Angel Society (surely his legacy);  Father Joe, priest, holy man, saint walking among us and this I know and believe with all my heart as I look at his ordination card and picture which I have had for 48 years.

I have found seven of his books around the house, four of which he signed and wrote a message, the earliest dating back to 1971 and the most recent, a gift to my husband and me, in September 2007.  I also found a pamphlet he wrote on tithing and had asked me to translate the first draft into Spanish.  And I’ve been looking at some correspondence which for some reason I saved--there are two postcards he sent me in 1962 and then 13 letters sent to both me and my husband from January 2003 through Christmas 2007.  We always received Father Joe’s annual Christmas letter but in retrospect I am amazed at the number he sent us over the last few years.  Of course, I will always treasure and read them often.

So often this week I’ve thought:  I told him how much we loved him and how he touched our lives, but did I really say thank you?  I let him know he was in our thoughts and prayers through get well cards and healing cards and phone calls but could I—should I have done more?  Why didn’t I think to do this?  If only I had said this or done that.”

Father once told me that some day he’d like to see a ministry of the dying, especially in the hospitals and nursing homes, for those who had no one.  In this ministry someone would be there to pray with and hold this person in their arms in those last few moments as they took their final breath and passed from one world to the other.  And I wondered if that happened and hoped it did happen for him.

Forty-six years ago Father said “Be generous daily in a few small things and you will be happy as well as holy.”  That’s the way he lived his life.  He also instilled in me from the time that I was a teenager a great love and devotion to our Blessed Mother.  Father had a great and deep devotion to Mary throughout his priestly life.  Even the front of his ordination card said “Behold Thy Son” “Behold Thy Mother” and shows a priest kneeling before the Christ Child and His Mother.  There’s no doubt that when he arrived in heaven God pointed to Mary and said to Father Joe “Behold Thy Mother” and Mary pointed to Father Joe and said to God “Behold Thy Son”.

My journey with Father began when I was a high school student in the early 60’s.  He and Father Finnegan were fun-loving, newly ordained priests assigned to the Cathedral.  I remember jokingly asking Father Joe if he wanted to drag race down Salina Street one evening when he pulled up along side of us—he was driving his Ford mustang and I was driving my dad’s “merry” Oldsmobile, of course, loaded with friends.  He smiled, gunned the engine and let us pull ahead down the street.  Neither of us drove too fast.  He was always so real and down to earth.

He was my spiritual director during my 8 years of religious life.  Though he would not make hard decisions for you, he would support you in your decisions.  Because of his ministry and other commitments he wasn’t able to preside at our wedding and needless to say we were disappointed.  But throughout our marriage, he was always a support system for my husband and me and our children.  He blessed our first house, came for dinner and when we could barely afford groceries, diapers and formula, I remember how he would have us stay a few days at his camp on Skaneateles Lake.  I was thrilled, years later, when he was able to preside at our daughter’s wedding and what a beautiful ceremony it was.    

I remember him as a man of vision and a priest always ahead of the times.  It even caused him to be silenced or censored at one time in his writings.  What I remember most about that incident, though, was his sense of obedience to his superiors.

I remember him as a leader when he became a pastor in Fulton and initiated parlour meetings to get to know his parishioners and understand their concerns and worries and hear their ideas.  I was thrilled when my husband followed the example of this great leader and decided to do the same when he became a superintendent of schools.  

As I look at 2 or 3 pictures of Father Joe at the Camillus Memorial Day race where he ran, and in the end, walked “for his kids”, I know I will always remember him as a runner.  The year he was diagnosed with cancer and had chemo he was still determined to run even if he had to finish by wheelchair or ambulance.  And of course there was a call for people to support and run with him.  When I told my family, in January, that I was going to run, everyone laughed.  My son said that if I had lost about 20 pounds and started training in September I might have been able to do it.  Of course, on my first day out to “train”, overweight and in need of a knee replacement, I realized that he was right.  But when they saw I was serious, the family, especially my daughter and son-in-law, became very supportive.  And my family, friends and neighbors, and students pledged money to the Guardian Angel Society for my “run/walk”. The only day that I was able to complete the entire 3.5 K was Memorial Day itself.  I thought I did pretty good until I read Father’s time in the paper the next day and thought—he’s amazing.  I was still thrilled to present him with a check and he was grateful to receive it and we both laughed and joked about my adventure as a runner.  I haven’t run since.  But he did—2 years later on Memorial Day, my husband and I decided to go to the finish line and greet and cheer him as he arrived.  There wasn’t a whole lot of fanfare that particular day—he ran along with his doctor—and he finished exhausted—but he had run again for “his kids”.

Why am I writing so much?  I hate to write and I have always felt inadequate as a writer and yet I want to tell everyone about the gentle, great and holy man that has walked among us and beside us.  I am not surprised that even in death he would teach us a lesson as he donated his body to medical science.

I know he’s a saint because I have already experienced a miracle—a healing—it happened around 7:00 p.m. the night he died.  When I told my husband what happened he said that maybe Father was sending me a message.  If so, then thank you Father—thanks for everything.

As a former religious for eight years and throughout my life, I have been privileged to know many holy, beautiful and wonderful priests, brothers and sisters.  But to answer my brother’s question, “Yes, Father Champlin was the person closest to God who ever touched my life.  I’ll miss him and I thank him and God and feel I will always have a special guardian angel watching over me and all of us.”  You've run the good race, Father.  Now, rest in peace.

I will miss Fr Chaplin very much.  He was always an inspiration to me when he was the pastor at St Joseph's in Camillus.  He was one of the most kind and caring people that I  had ever met.  He always had a kind word and a ready smile for everyone.
I remember that he was the officiate at my daughters first communion.  He wore some wonderful colorful vestments the children helped to create, and he clearly loved to spend time with them.
He also would stop and speak with my mom every week at mass and trade treatment stories.  He always left her with a smile on her face, and for that I will always treasure him.
Fr. Champlin, you were truly one of GOD's "good and faithful servants"
Rest in peace.

Fr. Champlin was a person who left a lasting mark on you and your heart.  He was a true gentleman and the epitome of what a priest should be.  I had the opportunity to listen to him speat at the luncheon lenten series, as well as at a divorced and separated conference at Christ The King Retreat House.  He was so genuine, and you were mesmerized when he spoke.  He could make you laugh, cry and his words make an impact on your life and those around you.  I also read one of his books on how to de-stress your life.  He had a love for his church, family, country, his roots in upstate New York and for everyone he encountered.  His smile was so sincere, and you felt like you could talk with him for hours.  He did so much to help many and never boasted or bragged about his accomplishments.  His kind heart and caring way said it all.

I know his family, church community and anyone who knew him, will miss him always.  We know you are now in a better place and can rest in peace.  His good works throughout his life, as well as his truly compassionate nature will live on forever.  

"And when he shall die, take him and cut him out in little stars and he will make the face of heaven so fine that all the world will be in love with night and pay no worship to the garish sun. Catherine O'Neil

I was in the presence of Fr. Joe a small number of times.  He was one of the few people that could convey a powerful message in a selfless, mild, but humorous way.   This was a person that had the qualities of a saint.  

After reading all of the above comments, one thing is apparent- there was something very special about this humble man- he had many gifts, and was able to share them for so many years and with so many people.

I had  many of the same experiences as many have expressed.  A long standing, loving, spirtual relationship with an amazing person.  His abiltity  to communicate to all people was amazing.
I met him as a child at Holy Family in Fulton in  the 70's and attended his teen religious ed classes- often bringing along my non- catholic friends with his permission- imagine teens wanting to attend religious ed ?  But they did. I read his books, he married me and made my wedding so personal and special, he baptized my two children, and kept in touch with me over the years.  When I went through a difficult divorce he counseled me, and when my father died at age 65, he agreed to meet with my mother and I to help us process his death.

I had recently met with him and he was to marry me in May.

His warmth and love continued to me and so many others for all these years, and anyone that ever heard him speak, was in awe. He must have beem a saint on earth, to have single handedly touched so many and for so long.  How can anyone ever forget this man ?  The Catholic church should be proud.