Roland Dion

1922 - 2013

Roland J. Dion, 91

NORTHBRIDGE - Roland J. Dion, 91, died on Wednesday, October 16, 2013, in Beaumont Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center, Northbridge, after a period of declining health.

He leaves his wife of 68 years, Berthe A. (Daoust) Dion; four children: Anne A. Mathieu and her husband, Paul J. Mathieu, of Charlton, Christine Metcalf and her husband, Bruce A. Metcalf, of Northbridge, Susanne M. Laflash and her husband, William F. Laflash, of Northbridge, and David R. Dion and his wife, Chris J. (Norman) Dion, of East Granby, CT; his brother-in-law who Roland and Berthe raised along with their children, Donald R. Daoust of Sarasota, FL; eight grandchildren; five great grandchildren; a brother, Raymond Dion of Northbridge; and nephews and nieces. In addition to his parents, Harmas and Alberta (Gazaille) Dion, he was also predeceased by a grandson, Sean M. Mathieu of Charlton, four brothers: Albert Dion, Romeo Dion and Arthur Dion, all of Linwood, and Armand Dion of Hollywood, FL; and a sister, Cora Ledrew of Bellingham.

Born and raised in the Linwood village of Northbridge, he graduated from the Northbridge Vocational School. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. He served aboard LCT (5), Flotilla #10 and LCT (6), Flotilla #20, and he participated in the landings in Sicily and Anzio, Italy. He then was transferred to the USS Troilus (AKA-46) and participated in numerous landings in the Pacific. He earned the American Theater Medal, the European African Middle Eastern Theater Medal with 4 battle stars, the Asiatic Pacific Theater Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. He also was awarded a letter of commendation for outstanding service. He was honorably discharged in 1945, and moved to Northbridge in that year.

Mr. Dion worked as a grinding supervisor for 44 years at the Whitin Machine Works and White Consolidated Industries, Whitinsville, before retiring in 1985. He was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Parish, Northbridge, and served as Scoutmaster for 10 years of Boy Scout Troop 145, sponsored by the parish. He was also a 50 Year Member of Oliver Ashton Post #343, American Legion, Northbridge.

His funeral wll be Saturday, October 19, from Turgeon Funeral Home, 80 School St., Northbridge, with a Funeral Mass at 11:00 A.M. in St. Peter's Catholic Church, 39 Church Avenue. Burial with military honors will follow in St. Patrick Cemetery, Whitinsville. A visiting hour will be Saturday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 A.M. in the funeral home. Donations in his memory may be made to the American Lung Association of the Northeast, 460 Totten Pond Road, Suite 400, Waltham, MA 02451 (www.lungne.org).