Raymond Francis Dion passed away Friday, July 11, 2025 in Hyder Family Hospice in Dover, NH after a battle with Renal Failure. Born in the late afternoon on March 10th, 1943, he came into this world at 10 lbs. 6 oz. Being a 10 month baby; this is something doctors today would not have allowed. The last of the 4 children of Albert & Irene (Gravel) Dion.
Educated in the Nashua Catholic Parochial school system, Raymond was fiercely competitive at both studies and sports. His cousin, Ron, joined him in the ninth grade at Sacred Heart Academy, a school for boys only. You can imagine the competition between them. In those days report cards were handed out openly in front of the class by the teacher in order of achievement. There was none of this political correctness of hurting one`s feelings. If you didn’t want the shame of being last, you either worked harder or got out. You know, just like real life. His cousin, Ron Dion and he were both second and third in their graduating class.
Raymond loved to play sports, especially baseball, and would never just swing at the ball in order to get a base hit, but rather would try for a homerun every time. This would tick off his coach somewhat. Yes, you guessed it, he struck out more than he hit homeruns. This would work against Raymond one time in a playoff game at Holman Stadium, a rather large field with one in left and center field. When he got up to bat the outfield would back way up, knowing his record of hitting long fly balls. Raymond hit a fast ball so high and deep that he had rounded first base and was heading for second, when the centerfielder was able to outrun and catch the ball. Damn him to hell. All was not lost however, as they had a runner on second base who had to backtrack and tag up and still managed to score.
Raymond started working at 16 years of age, as was sadly the custom in my family. Education was not a priority. His first job was working in a local shoe factory where his sister also worked.
Just prior to his eighteenth birthday, Raymond enlisted with a friend in the Army National Guard. He did his basic training at Fort Dix, NJ and advanced training at Fort Sill, OK in Artillery. His home unit was activated during the Berlin Wall Crisis one week prior to his return home. Instead of getting home in time for the deer hunting season, he and his buddy re-united with their unit at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. It was there that Raymond passed his GED with mid 80`s to lower 90`s percentile scores. The instructor who administered the test told Raymond he could take a similar test for a college degree, but it would only count in the military should he choose it for a career. There, it was almost like basic training again in order for the others to get in shape and hone their skills to get combat ready. They were packed and ready to go on a one day notice. Try living that way for 9 months. It was not fun. They actually wanted to go and get it over with, rather than live that way.
Raymond’s unit was deactivated in August of 1962, In December of that year; he started working for Nashua Corporation, a paper product processing company dating back to the California gold rush of 1849. The company made playing cards for the miners. His first job there was making wax paper, then coating paper for photocopiers before plain paper was used. Finally, he ended making dry toner for copy machines and printers for computers.
In 1964, Raymond met the love of my life, Vivian. After a one and a half year courtship, they married in 1966. Their 59th anniversary was on May 7th of this year. They have two sons, Scott and Eric. Raymond was proud to say they were both college graduates. They have two granddaughters, Alyssa and Michelle, and additionally two beautiful grandsons Preston and Landon. He was also an avid animal lover and loved his cat fluffy.
In 2002, Raymond retired after 40 years with the company at 59 years old. His wife soon followed about 6 months later from her job as controller for a construction company. They enjoyed life to the fullest doing what they both like doing together. She tells stories and Raymond sang. They advertise themselves under the title DION TO ENTERTAIN YOU, which is a play on the correct pronunciation of their last name. Viv tells stories, and acts as Master of Ceremonies, and Raymond did the singing. They performed for gratis for seniors, church groups, and any other worthy organizations that needed entertainment. They both were avid bridge players and co-hosted the game for many years at First Congregational Church in Wolfeboro. The group was called Smile Train, and they collected over the years donations in excess of two thousand dollars that was sent to deserving patients who needed life changing operations for cleft palate.
Following cremation, calling hours will be held on Thursday 24th from 3:00pm – 4:30pm with a service to follow at 4:30 in the Peabody Funeral Homes & Crematorium, 15 Birch St, Derry, NH. A private graveside service will take place the following day. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Lakes Region Animal Rescue Center, 11 Old Route 28, PO Box 655 (mailing address) Ossipee, NH 03864