Sperry & McHoul Funeral Home Obituaries

Richard E. Dion 01/16/21

Richard E. Dion, 85, of North Attleboro, MA,  passed away Saturday morning, January 16, 2021 at home in the care and company of his loving wife and sons.  He was the beloved husband of Paula (Smith) Dion for 54 years. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his two children and their spouses: Michael and his wife Brenda and William (Bill) and his wife Kara. He was a devoted grandfather to four grandchildren: Kate, Matthew, Victoria and Colin.

 

Born to William A. and Lea (Provencal) Dion in Plainville, he grew up and lived his life in North Attleboro around his large extended family. He graduated from North Attleboro High School in 1954 and proudly served his country in the US Army during the Korean war. He spent most of his career as a Tool Designer for Engelhard Industries in Plainville.

 

Dad / Grampy was the very definition of a do-it-yourselfer and teacher. A generous, kind, humorous and loving person, if he wasn’t busy building, fixing or tinkering in his workshop, he could be found tending to his vegetable garden or digging clams near his summer home on Cape Cod. Everyone who visited there was treated to his signature dishes: little necks on the halfshell and clams casino. Always available to lend a hand, he never missed an excuse to shoot the breeze and enjoy a beer and a laugh. He thoroughly enjoyed time spent with his brothers and their children and helping in many of their business ventures. His adventurous nature included travel, golfing, skiing, hunting and fishing, hot air ballooning, doing loop-de-loops in a biplane, soaring in a glider and zip lining in Hawaii.

 

Predeceased by his brothers William, Edward and Robert, Richard is survived by his brother Paul and his wife Helene, his sister Lorraine Ashley and her husband William, and sisters-in-law Claire, Annette and Cecilia. He has many wonderful nieces, nephews and cousins that were all a big part of his life. 

 

Due to the pandemic and for the health and safety of all, a private Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Transfiguration of the Lord Parish in Saint Mary Church, 14 Park Street, North Attleboro on Thursday, January 21 at 10:00 AM. Burial with veterans’ honors will follow at Saint Mary Cemetery in North Attleboro. 

 

Additional family and friends are cordially invited to view the Mass that will be live-streamed on both Facebook and YouTube at 10:00 AM by visiting: https://www.facebook.com/Transfiguration-of-the-Lord-Parish-North-Attleborough-106529317647894 .

Or 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1i2_bnxJkvxwc5jurDrK2w?fbclid=IwAR234lCNCHVNYcjEhK-tgpr7FQ-TGUX_xdH9z_E1N4Hd2scfmR4JrK_x1s8

 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Richard’s name to: The Alzheimer’s Association, (https://www.alz.org/), 225 N, Michigan Ave., FL. 17, Chicago, IL. 60601 or Community VNA, (https://www.communityvna.com) 10 Emory St. Attleboro, MA 02703