Rudolphe R Dionne Obituary (1926 - 2012)

Rudolphe Reginald Dionne, 86, passed away peacefully in Bangor on December 24, 2012, after a brief illness and with many of his loving family at his side. Rudy was born in Skowhegan on November 8, 1926, the son of Levite and Theresa (Violette) Dionne. He married Bernice “Bunny” Crockett on August 5, 1946, after which the two raised eleven children on their Middle Road dairy farm in Skowhegan. Rudy’s passion for farming and pride in his work were evident by the pristine appearance of “the farm”, as it was fondly known by many. Friends and visitors commented often that Rudy’s was the nicest farm they had ever seen. It was through his devotion to his craft that he passed along his strong work ethic to each of his children. Rudy and Bunny shared a lifelong love of traveling, taking many trips together to various parts of the world. They equally enjoyed family gatherings. When their family was young, weekends were often spent at Uncle Wally’s camp or skiing at Eaton Mountain. In retirement, Rudy’s new passions included golf and snowmobiling, as well as watching the Patriots, Red Sox, and Celtics. Rudy’s civic-mindedness led him to serve as a director for Depositor’s Trust Bank and SAD 54, where he became board chairman. It was in this capacity that he proudly presented some of his children with their high school diplomas during their graduations. He later served the Soil and Water Conservation Association. His lifelong commitment to farming was rewarded when he was honored as Agricultural Person of the Year at the Skowhegan State Fair in 1981. Rudy was predeceased by his parents, his son Gregory, sisters Joan Getchell and Priscilla Bilodeau, and brother Roland Dionne. Rudy will be deeply missed by his loving wife of 66 years, Bunny of Skowhegan; his daughters Judith Scoville and husband Paul of Chelmsford, MA; Jane Jewell and husband Dennis of Cornville; Carole Dionne and close friend Mary Lou Vitali of Portland; Pamela Eames and husband Sam of Norridgewock; Susan Porter and husband Randy of Buxton; and Barbara Vereault and husband Don of Bangor; his sons Barry Dionne and close friend Lynn Landry of Barnard Township; Jack Dionne of Skowhegan; Daniel Dionne of Anson; and Jeffrey Dionne and wife Claire of Benton; his sisters Genevieve Fortier and husband Horace of Skowhegan and Verna Roy Lister of Skowhegan; his close in-laws Richard Getchell and Lillian Dionne of Skowhegan; and numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. A mass of Christian burial will be held at Notre Dame de Lourdes church in Skowhegan on Saturday, January 5, 2013 at 10:00 am. Burial will take place at Calvary cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of one’s choice. The family wishes to thank the staff at Redington-Fairview General Hospital and Eastern Maine Medical Center for the sensitive, loving care they provided to Rudy and his family. Arrangements are in the care of Smart and Edwards Funeral Home, 183 madison ave, skowhegan, maine.