Former Councilman, Champlin's Seafood Owner, Dies at 78

One of Narragansett’s most loyal public servants and prominent businessmen, T. Brian Handrigan, has died.

Handrigan, 78, was the owner of Champlin’s Seafood, a restaurant on the water in the Port of Galilee, and a former Town Councilman, Town Council President and powerful advocate for Narragansett.

Handrigan died Friday.

As council president, Handrigan earned a reputation for being blunt and unwilling to put up with dramatics and whining.

But friends and colleagues knew his other side was as a warm, loving and caring soul who put the interest of others and his beloved town first.

Handrigan’s political career began when he was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Narraganset Town Council and quickly was elected council president.

“I had no idea what the hell I was doing,” he told this reporter in 2005. “And I had no help.”

It didn’t take long, however, for Handrigan to find his stride as an elected official, and soon, he was an instrumental figure in bringing to the forefront the issues plaguing the Port of Galilee, Jerusalem and Point Judith, tackling topics ranging from public access to the shore, the declining fishing industry to the small business economy.

As a businessman, Handrigan turned fish to gold through hard work and savvy.

He joined his brother David in the 1960s and opened Dave Handrigan Seafood in Point Judith. During that time, he figured out the business, both on the docks and as a commercial fisherman. Eventually, he and his brother had a profitable lobster business.

In 1979, he went on his own and partnered with the Wickford Shellfish Corporation, which grew to be one of the largest lobster and shellfish companies in the country.

He retired briefly in the 1980s but the sea called upon him once again and he became very involved in the operations of his children’s lobster boats.

He also owned ”T. Brian’s Pub” at the Canopy Club in North Kingstown and Pat’s Variety Store in Sand Hill Cove.

In 1990, he bought Champlin’s Seafood and he made the business his pride and joy, helping to put it on the map as a must-visit Rhode Island landmark.

In addition, Handrigan was a member of many local organizations and groups, like the Narragansett Lions, Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick, the Order of Irish Kings and the South Kingstown Elks.

A complete obituary is below:

T. Brian Handrigan, 78, of Narragansett passed away peacefully on Friday, February 6, 2014.

Brian was the husband of Grace (Murphy) Handrigan.

Born in Pawtucket, he was the son of the late John and Madeline (O’Brien) Handrigan. Brian graduated from Pawtucket West High, Class of 1955 and served as president of his class, as well as starring on the “West” football team. Brian then joined the United States Marine Corps, and proudly served his country for four years.

Upon returning from the service, Brian went to work with his brother David at the wildly popular Bohemian Club in Pawtucket, and also went on to work at the New Haven/Providence Railroad.

In the early 60s Brian again joined his brother David, and worked side by side opening Dave Handrigan Seafood in Pt. Judith RI., and worked and mastered all facets of the seafood industry, both dockside and also a commercial fisherman out of Pt. Judith. The brothers went on to excel in the Lobster industry. In 1979, Brian eventually branched off on his own and partnered in owning Wickford Shellfish Corporation and built it to one of the largest Lobster and Shellfish companies in the country.

Upon a short retirement in the mid 1980s, he then partnered with his sons and became heavily involved with his sons boats in the Offshore Lobster Fishery. He was very hands on and involved in all aspects of the industry, and he even learned firsthand how to hand build his own lobster traps for use on his family boats. He also owned and operated “T. Brian’s” Pub at the Canopy Club in North Kingstown, and Pat’s Variety Store in Sand Hill Cove, a favorite stop for the beach kids in the summertime.

In 1990, Brian again partnered and purchased Champlin’s Seafood in Pt. Judith. Champlin’s became one of his favorite businesses, and he again excelled in the wholesale/retail seafood business, as well as his newfound passion for Champlin’s Seafood Restaurant located on the water overlooking Pt. Judith. Brian worked tirelessly to make Champlin’s one of the most popular seafood destinations in New England, and it was his pride and joy.

He was involved in many organizations and charities over the years, and he proudly served on the Narragansett Town Council for many years, and also as its council president for the majority of his service to the town. Brian always put the best interest of the town he loved first, and worked diligently to improve the town he loved to call home. He was a member of the Narragansett Lions, Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick, The Order of Irish Kings, the South Kingstown Elks and Exalted Ruler of the Warwick Elks. He was the current President and CEO of the local and prestigious 408 Club and also a proud member of the Newport Creamery Half Gallon Club!

Brian was always there for anyone who needed a helping hand, and will be remembered for his quick wit, love of a good joke, his love of sports, especially football, and he loved and cherished his friends who all held a dear place in his heart.

Brian is survived by his son Timothy and his wife Cody Handrigan of Wakefield, his daughter and pride and joy Patricia and her husband Paul Herchen of Narragansett and a son Michael Handrigan of Narragansett. Brian was the also the father of his youngest son, the late Terence Handrigan. He leaves behind his grandchildren, who were all his favorites, Courtney, Chelsey and her husband Steven, Thomas , Casey, Michael , Connor, Matthew , and Erin, Caitlin and Celia, his nieces Colleen and Kerri Handrigan as well as all of his other many wonderful nieces and nephews. Brian was the brother of Norma (Handrigan) Dorrance of Massachusetts and Sandra (Handrigan) Morrissey of Florida and is predeceased by his brother John (Jack) Handrigan, his sister Madelyn “Peachy” (Handrigan) Ogilvie, and also his brother and pal, Raymond “Dave” Handrigan.

On behalf of Brian and his family, a special Thanks to the staff and family that make up South County Hospital for their very special caring and efforts.

Calling hours are Wednesday, February 11th from 4-8 pm., at Avery- Storti Funeral Home, 88 Columbia St. Wakefield RI. A Mass and celebration of Brian’s life will be held Thursday morning at 10 am at St. Peters By the Sea Church, 72 Central Street, Narragansett R.I. Graveside services will then be held privately. In lieu of flowers, donations and contributions can be made in Brian’s memory to the Wounded Warrior Project @ woundedwarriorproject.org and also to the Pt. Judith Fisherman’s Memorial Foundation, PO Box 3315 Narragansett R. I. 02882. Semper Fidelis.