Daniel "Danny" Dionne, 87, passed away at dawn, on September 7, 2022 at the Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont UHC in Moncton, NB, peacefully after a brief illness. He was born in St-Hubert, QC, to Emma (Goguen) and Alfred Dionne, the third of ten children. The Dionne family moved to New Brunswick and later settled on a beautiful farm in Scoudouc.
Danny joined the Canadian Air Force on his 18th birthday, December 18, 1952.
Following several training postings, Danny met his beautiful Helen (Butt) in Gander, NL. They married August 3, 1960, in Riverhead, Harbour Grace, NL. Danny and Helen moved over eight times, and their three children were born in Gander, NL, Sudbury, ON, and Zweibrücken, Germany. Danny retired from the military in 1976, moving his family, for the last time, from CFB Borden to Moncton.
In his new life on Civvy Street, Danny worked as a lineman, a school bus driver and a building superintendent. In 2000, he retired a final time, and moved with Helen to Gander, NL, until their return to Moncton in 2020.
Danny is survived by his beloved wife, Helen; his children: Yvonne (François Matte) of Grande-Digue, Denise of Moncton, and Daniel, of Mission, BC; six grandchildren: David McKay (Janelle) of Moncton, Emily Pickard (Jonathan) of Fredericton, Jean-Luc Matte (Jenna) of St. John’s, NL, and Jordyn, Malcolm, and Peyton Dionne of Mission, BC; and great-grandchildren: Maëlle and David McKay.
Danny's surviving siblings are his sisters: Virginie Dionne of Shediac and Celenir Alexander (Rick) of Ottawa, ON; his brothers: Normand of Moncton, Prudent (Alice) of Pugwash, NS, Valmont (Betty) of Halifax, NS, Eugene (Denise) of St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC, and Majella (Suzanne) of Scoudouc.
Danny will be missed by his sisters-in-law: Frances Wrice (late Leo) of Carbonear, NL, and Jean Reynolds (late Ray) of Riverhead Harbour Grace, NL; his brother-in-law, Edward (late Helen) of Riverhead Harbour Grace, NL; and dear family friend, Cynthia Hart of St. John’s, NL.
Over 60 nieces and nephews, from Newfoundland to British Columbia, and California, with their partners and children, will miss Uncle Danny.
He was predeceased by his parents, sister Murielle LeBlanc (late Lorenzo) of Scoudouc, brother Alfred Jr. (late Jacqueline) of Scoudouc, honorary brother Oscar Gould of Shediac, sisters-in-law: Mary (late Jim), Vivian (late Joseph), Geraldine (Jerry), and brothers-in-law: Walter, Ron (late Betty), and John (late Geraldine).
Danny loved nature, walking or skiing in the woods, and spending time with family and friends. He was an inventor and he created hundreds of helpful gadgets over the years - a man of big ideas. He loved to meet people, reconnect with family and friends, and tell stories, hands flying, his face expressing every word. Keep him in your stories, pass along his tales and he will remain in our hearts.
The family will receive condolences at Frenette Funeral and Cremation Centre, 88 Church Street, Moncton (858-1900) where the funeral service will be celebrated on Saturday October 22 at 11:00 am. Visiting hours are Friday October 21 from 7 to 9 pm only. By the family’s request, face coverings are strongly recommended. The funeral service will be streamed live; to view the funeral, go to his obituary on our website. Interment will be in Gander, Newfoundland.
In memory of Danny, a contribution to the War Amps Canada, to the Janeway Children’s Hospital Foundation in St. John’s, NL, or to a charity of the donor’s choice would be greatly appreciated.
Words of comfort and donations may be made at www.frenettefuneralhome.com