Valere
Roger Dion, 88, of Englewood, Fla., passed away on March 1, 2024, at
his home with his loving wife, Kay Aldrich Dion, at his side.
A
graveside service will be held for his family on Saturday, June 8,
2024, 1 p.m., at New Mount Calvary Cemetery on Plattsburg Avenue in
Burlington. There will be a reception from 2 to 4 p.m. at Queen City
Brewery at 703 Pine Street in Burlington following the burial. All
are welcome to the reception.
Valere
was born on his grandfather’s farm in Winooski, Vt. on March 7, 1935,
to Roland (Fay) and Philip Dion. He graduated from Cathedral High
School in 1954. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1955 and served active
duty on the USS Antietam for two years. Valere was in the U.S.
Naval Reserves for six years. He married Helene Limoge in 1960, and
they raised their five children in Burlington, Vt. He joined the
Burlington Fire Department, where he served for 30 years as a fire
marshal and later retired as the chief of personnel. He met the love
of his life, Kay Aldrich, and they were married on February 14, 1986.
Val and Kay had 38 wonderful years together.
Valere
was predeceased by his parents; his sons Thomas Pierre and Stephen
Paul; his sister-in-law Sally Dion, and his brother-in-law, Ray
Beauchemin.
Valere
is survived by his wife, Kay; son Matthew Dion, daughter Melissa Dion
and her husband, Ken Carter; daughter Nicole Bauman and her husband,
Todd Bauman; and his siblings, Jeannine Beauchemin, Roland and Julie
Dion, and Raymond Dion. Valere had four stepdaughters, June Alvarez
(Juan), Susie Miller, Stacey Miller and Ann Shimmel (Don). Val also
had many grandchildren, stepgrandchildren, great-grandchildren,
great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Valere
enjoyed camping. Val and Kay traveled the U.S. and Canada, enjoying
the outdoors and French Canadian music. Although he was proficient
with many instruments, the fiddle was Val’s passion. He played with
numerous musicians and was a judge at many fiddlers’ contests.
This article appears in The Summer Preview 2024.