Joseph Francis Dion

Joseph Francis Dion, Jr., age 91, passed away peacefully in his Walpole, Massachusetts home, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Franklin, Massachusetts on August 26, 1925, he was the son of the late Joseph F. and Emma F. (Morse) Dion. He was raised in Franklin and attended Franklin High School. During his senior year of high school, Joseph enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, where he proudly served his country during World War II. He was stationed in the Asiatic Pacific Theater of Operations and spent time in both Peleliu and Okinawa, and was considered MIA for 8 days after being separated from his platoon with a few others, before traveling to China, where he would spend the rest of his deployment. While in China, Joseph enjoyed ice skating and trading cigarette rations for Coca-Cola since he wasn't a smoker. He was honorably discharged in March of 1946. Upon his return from the Marines, Joseph enrolled in night school to finish the requirements to earn his high school diploma then continued his education, earning his Associates Degree from Bentley College in 1948.

In 1947, Joseph met his wife to be, Edith A. Cecchi, on a blind date at the Roll Land roller skating rink in Norwood. They were married two years later on February 6, 1949 in Blessed Sacrament Church in Walpole. The young couple made their home together in Walpole, where they would welcome 5 boys over the next 20 years. Joseph took a job with General Motors in Framingham to support his growing family in 1952, spending 37 years with the corporation before retiring as the scheduling coordinator in 1989.

In his retirement, Joseph enjoyed a life of leisurely pleasures. He loved spending time with his family and friends, traveling abroad, dancing, and playing cards with his lifelong friends. Joseph enjoyed riding his bicycle every week alongside his brother, Robert, at Colt State Park, along the East Bay Bike Path, where he would stop along the trail at the corner store to buy his weekly scratch tickets. While at home, he enjoyed cooking on the grill, hosting pool parties, and relaxing while watching movies, especially any James Bond film, the Harry Potter series and anything with Clint Eastwood.

Joseph's life was dedicated to his family, he was a loving husband to his wife, Edith, they loved spending their summers together on Lake Winnipesaukee and the winters on Cape Cod, celebrating their wedding anniversary. Nothing made Joseph happier than guiding his boys into adulthood and watching as they began their own families.

Beloved husband of Edith A. (Cecchi) Dion.
Loving father of Richard J. Dion and his wife Donna of Taunton, Keith F. Dion and his wife Debra of Norton, Craig W. Dion of Los Angeles, J. Scott Dion of Bellingham, and Stephen R. Dion and his wife Anne Marie of Walpole.
Cherished grandfather of Jennifer, Christine, Jason, Nicole, Scott, Jamie, Jon, and Leia, and great grandfather of Gracie, Logan, and Lillian.
Brother of Robert Dion of Attleboro, Ronald Dion of Weymouth, and the late Ruth Vars.
Also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Joseph's Life Celebration on Monday, August 7, 2017 from 4-7 PM and Tuesday, August 8, 2017 from 9-9:30 AM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Blessed Sacrament Church, 10 Diamond Street, Walpole on Tuesday, August 8, 2017 at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow in Knollwood Memorial Park in Canton. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: The Aplastic Anemia and MDS International Foundation at AAMDS.org.