Robert J. Dion

Robert “Bob” Dion, possibly the most loved man in Nashua, and everyone’s “Grandpa Bob,” died peacefully surrounded by family and friends on October 7th, following a long illness.  Bob was born and raised in Burlington, Vermont, where he acquired his limitless kindness from his parents, Leo Peter Dion and Laura Snyder Dion, and developed his trademark wry sense of humor with help from his two brothers.  He attended schools in Burlington until he was drafted into the army and served as an MP in a prisoner of war camp overseas during the Korean War.

Bob moved to Nashua, NH shortly after graduating from Mass College of Pharmacy in 1956.  He served as the Director of Pharmacy at St. Joseph’s Hospital for almost 30 years, where he introduced many innovations, including unit dosing and satellite pharmacy.  A beloved teacher of pharmacology at St. Joseph’s School of Nursing, he coined the phrase, “Don’t fight it, write it.”  He worked for another 20 years at pharmacies throughout Nashua, including Liggett Rexal, Rice’s, and Southern New Hampshire Medical Center.  Bob went to work happy every day of his life.  He loved being a pharmacist so much that after “retiring” he went back to work for another 20 years, finally retiring at the age of 83.  For his almost 60 years of hard work, Bob received the Lifetime Achievement Award for pharmacy from the state of New Hampshire in 2013.

Bob married the love of his life, Jacqueline Elaine Dion, on July 6, 1956.  He adored her until the day he died.  He was totally devoted to his family.  All of his free time was given to his 3 children, 11 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.  He loved them all wholeheartedly and he was everyone’s most favorite person.   

The countless hours spent with his family included many years coaching Jr. Biddy Basketball and Little League Baseball for his children.  In 1977, Bob broke the Nashua Little League gender barrier by drafting the first girl ever to his team, the K of C.  Later in life, he continued coaching with his sons for his grandchildren.

Bob was predeceased by his older brother Leo Dion, twin brother Richard Dion, and most beloved grandson, Matthew Dion.

Bob’s wicked sense of humor and gigantic heart will live on through his family.  Besides his wife, he is survived by his son David Dion, daughter Karen Sennott and her husband John, and youngest son Joseph Dion and his wife Christine.  Grandpa Bob will be especially missed by his grandchildren, Aaron Irlbacher and his wife Jayme, Seana Signor and her husband Jordan, Cassidy Basile and her husband Ryan, Quinn Dion, Zachary Dion and his wife Joey, Luke Dion, Michael Sennott and his wife Samantha, Cara Sennott, Wyeth Dion, and Evy Dion.

Bob’s last two challenging years of life were spent under the care of the remarkable staff of Langdon Place of Nashua.  The end of his life was guided by their love and the help of Compassionate Care Hospice and their amazing staff.

SERVICES:  Visiting hours will be held on Monday October 10, 2016 from 6 to 8 PM in the Anctil-Rochette & Son Funeral Home, 21 Kinsley St., Nashua.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday October 11, 2016 in St. Kathryn Church at 11:00 AM.  Everyone is invited to meet at the church.  Burial with military honors will follow in St. Louis Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, PO Box 97075 Washington, DC 20077-7258 or  MDA.org, in support of his great-grandson, Jake Irlbacher, whom Grandpa Bob truly adored.

 Service Information