Rodney Paul Dion

December 14, 1955 - June 16, 2016



This is the story of Rodney Paul Dion (Rod). Rod was a wonderful man that was loved, is missed, and will always be cherished. Our "bumpa," as he was called by his grandchildren, "RD," as he was called by many, was an amazing husband, father, grandfather, son, sibling and friend.

Rod's story starts on December 14, 1955, the youngest child to Fred and Esterleen (Fortin) Dion. Rod was born in Burlington, Vermont and attended and graduated from South Burlington High School where he excelled in many sports, especially football and baseball. High school is also where he met the love of his life, Deborah (Hoyt) Dion whom he married in the North Avenue Alliance Church in Burlington on April 23, 1977. Rod and Debbie settled in Milton, Vermont, raised three children and have played a significant role in helping to raise their two grandchildren. Rod was renowned for his cooking and generosity, especially when it came to food. Everyone always knew they would have plenty of "homemade" delicious food to eat when visiting the Dion household.

Rod was an avid boater and was happiest on the water with his family and friends. He absolutely loved the ocean and Lake Champlain, which is where Rod's life tragically came to an end, on June 15, 2016 at the age of 60.

Loved ones that cleared the path for Rod are his parents, Fred and Esterleen Dion and his teenage daughter Amy Marie Dion. Loved ones that will miss Rod until they meet again are his wife, Deborah Dion; his daughter Brittany Dion; his daughter Trisha Desranleau and her lifelong partner, Justin Cruz; his grandchildren Kenyon and Kaitlyn Desranleau; his father and mother in law Ed and Paulette Hoyt; his brother Gary Dion and his wife Linda of Burlington, their children: Sean Dion and his wife Jeanne Dion and their children and soon to be born grandson, Chantelle Davis and her husband Jody and their children and Stephanie LaPointe and her husband Joel and her children; his brother Michael Dion and his wife Nancy of Milton, and their children: Chad Dion and his wife Becky Dion and their children, Toby Dion, Danielle Dion and her husband Alex DelAngel and their children, Vicky Cross and her husband Dave, Duane LaMotte and his partner Linda Bearor and Darcy Millette and her husband Travis and their son; his sister Sue Karnes and her partner Paul Campbell of Burlington and her children: Michelle St. Onge and her children, Rob Mongeon and his partner Tina Cassidy and Mark Mongeon and his wife, Tina and children; his brother in law Ed Hoyt Jr. and his sister in law Elyse Hoyt and their children: Jason Hoyt and his wife Kristen of Milton and their son, John Hoyt and his wife Bethany and their children, James Hoyt, Kathryn Nakamura and her husband Dane, Steven Hoyt and April Hoyt; many, many more friends and family members will always remember Rod and miss him dearly.

Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday June 21, 2016 from 4-7pm in the Minor Funeral and Cremation Center in Milton.

A Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday June 22, 2016 at 11am in the Funeral Home with burial following in the Milton Village Cemetery. A catered celebration of Rod's life will follow at the Eagle Club in Milton.

Online condolences may be made to www.minorfh.com.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Disable American Veterans or to the charity of your choice in Rod's name.