…retired Comptroller at Tyco Labs; 93
ANDOVER – Henry Daniel “Hank” Dillon, age 93, a decorated WW2 Veteran and retired Comptroller at Tyco Labs, died peacefully in the care of his family and staff at Highpoint Hospice in Haverhill, on Monday, September 10, after the month-long rapid resurgence of a courageous and prolonged twenty plus years battle with Prostate Cancer. He was the beloved husband of Rose Susan (Sacco) Dillon, with whom he would have celebrated a sixty-eighth wedding anniversary on October 14.
Hank was born in Lowell on June 20, 1925, one of three children of the late Daniel Henry and Anna C. (Leary) Dillon, and was raised on Dewey Street in Tewksbury Center. He was educated in Tewksbury schools, and graduated from Tewksbury High School with the Class of 1943. He immediately enlisted into the U.S. Army, and served as a rifleman in the U.S. Army’s 5307th Composite Provisional Unit, known as “Merrill’s Marauders” in Burma. He was awarded a Purple Heart Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon, Distinguished Unit Badge, Victory Medal, Bronze Star, and earned a second Bronze Star, although he often joked; he was still awaiting the arrival of the second Bronze Star seventy-three years later. After his Burma service, Hank was transferred to China and placed in the position of training the Chinese Army for the anticipated invasion of Japan from Allied forces. He was commissioned as a Major in the Chinese Army, which remained the basis for many amusing and often hilarious stories throughout his long life. Upon honorable discharge, Hank rode the train to Boston every day to earn an Associates Degree in Accounting from Burdett Business School, paid for by the G.I. Bill.
After their marriage in 1950, Hank and Rose moved to Andover to raise their family.
He worked as a bookkeeper and accountant at several Massachusetts companies eventually rising to the position of Comptroller at Tyco Labs in Waltham.
Hank spent family vacations at Harris’ Inn Cottages on Harris Pond in Pelham, NH, where he spent many hours at complete peace, accompanied by his faithful dog, tinker, fishing from the camp motorboat. In his younger years, Hank was also an accomplished Bowler and skilled card player. In his later years, Hank and Rose were weekly supporters of the Thursday Tewksbury K of C and the Tuesday Tewksbury-Wilmington Bingo nights. In later years, Hank and Rose were also frequent fliers at Foxwoods in Connecticut.
Hank will be fondly remembered for his wicked dry sense of humor, friendly sarcasm, quick smile with a twinkle in his eye, a quiet chuckle, and an ever-present tobacco pipe clinched in the corner of his mouth.
Besides his beloved Rose, he leaves four adored children, John F. and his wife Dorothy (Gardner) Dillon of North Reading, Paul D. Dillon of Derry, NH, Rosanne C. Dillon and her significant other, David W. Raffa of Templeton, and Susan M. Dillon and her significant other, Nicholas Raimondo of Coral Springs, FL; eight grandchildren, Sean Dillon of No. Reading, Tracy Dillon of East Boston, Michelle Clifton and her husband Charles of No. Chelmsford, Jennifer Dillon of Leominster and her significant other Walter Niemi, Bryanna Payne of Fitchburg, Kendra Payne of Andover, Jose Marquez and Kimberly Raimondo, both of Coral Springs; a great grandson, Tyler Dillon-Clifton; a sister, Carol A. Isabelle of Tewksbury; a brother-in-law, Victor L. Roux of Tewksbury; many nieces and nephews; and was predeceased by her sister, Anne C. (Dillon) Roux, and brother-in-law, Ronald Isabelle.
A Celebration of Life and memorial visiting hours are Saturday, September 15, from 1:00 until 4:00 p.m. in the Tewksbury Funeral Home, corner of 1 Dewey and 975 Main Sts. (Rte. 38) TEWKSBURY CENTER, Ph. (800 in MA or 978) 851 2950. Memorial Prayers will follow at 4:00 p.m. in the funeral home. Please omit flowers. Memorials to the Highpoint Hospice House, c/o Merrimac Valley Hospice, 360 Merrimack St., Lawrence, MA 01843 are encouraged. Visit: tewksburyfuneralhome.com