John P. Dion
John Paul Dion, age 84, of Whitman died at home on January 6, 2025, after battling a chronic disease for several years. His son Paul (Milky) and his daughter Sue (Dolly) were by his bedside when he passed peacefully.
John was born in Quincy on November 6, 1940, to the late Thomas Edmour and Vivian Sophia (Howatt) Dion, Sr. John was raised and educated in Brockton before joining the Army and serving in the Military Police, 8th MP Company, in Germany where he met his lifelong best friend Paul B. Episcope of Chicago. After his military service, John spent the majority of his career as a Union Bricklayer of Local 52, International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftsmen, Quincy. As a Master Mason, he enjoyed working with stone and brick. One of his favorite construction projects he worked on was Stonehill College where he would take Sue and Paul fishing when they were younger while showing them the different buildings, he helped craft and build over decades.
John was married to Sandra for 57 years before her passing in 2021, which left an enormous hole in his heart and life. He is predeceased by his parents Thomas and Vivian, brothers’ v David Dion, Edward Dion, Thomas Dion Jr., Joseph Dion, and his very special niece Donna Dion. He is survived by his brother Stephen (Darlene) Dion of Easton and sister June Backgren of Rochester. John is also survived by his son Paul, wife Janet and their sons Jack of Bridgewater and Kyle of Wolfeboro, NH; his daughter Sue Dion Robinson, husband Rob, and daughter Aberash of Kittery, Maine and son Taidgh of Saco, Maine. In addition, his most treasured loyal companion to the end was his cat Moe. Moe provided a guiding and protective light after Sandra died and was a gift from Dena Buckman of Gloucester which meant the world to him. To the public, John was a quiet, friendly, reserved man, but for those who knew him intimately, he was the funniest person in the room and the best storyteller you’d ever meet-even it was the 5th time you heard the same story. There was nothing better than hearing the Dion brothers share their childhood stories followed by raucous laughter. He was a voracious reader, lover of words and history. There wasn’t a room in the house that didn’t have a piece of paper scribbled with some of his favorite quotes or useful musings like, “Righty tighty, lefty loosey.”
John loved nothing more than to spend time with his wife, kids, grandkids, and Moe. He was their greatest champion and supporter in everything they did. You couldn’t find a grin wider than when he was watching Jack play hockey. He enjoyed finding a good thrift store bargain and a good meal. But most of all he loved to laugh and make others laugh. One of John’s favorite quotes, scribbled throughout the house was Maya Angelou’s saying, “People will not remember what you said or did, but they will always remember how you made them feel.” His love and laughter will be remembered, felt, and missed forever.
A private memorial service will be held at a later date.