Gil Dionne

Gil Dionne, age 60, of Sanford, died at his home on Thursday March 23 after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in July of 2005.Gil was born on March 3, 1946 in Claire, New Brunswick, Canada, the son of Camille and Imelda (Chasse) Dionne. His family moved to Sanford when he nine years old. He attended the former Saint Ignatius High School and graduated as the class valedictorian in 1965. He had often recalled that the proudest day of his youth was the day he found out he was first in the class, first in English (his second language) and co-captain of the baseball team.Gil graduated from the University of Maine at Orono with a degree in history. While at Orono, Gil was a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) fraternity. After serving in the Army, Gil returned to Orono for post-graduate work.Gil married Linda Davis on October 12, 1974 in Sanford. At that time he was working for K&M Jewelry Co., which afforded them the opportunity to live and work in Milwaukee, Chicago and New York City. They returned to Sanford in 1977 after the birth of their first daughter, Michelle.Upon his return to Sanford, Gil started his career in real estate at Turner Realty. Just after the birth of his second daughter, Christina, in 1983, he started his own office, Gil Dionne Realty. With almost 30 years of experience, Gil has been a great teacher to many new sales agents, most recently sharing his knowledge with his son in law, Scott Sheppard, who plans to carry on the "home town agency" and the ideals established by Gil.Gil was an active member of the community. He volunteered his time with many town and organizational committees. He was a member of the National, State of Maine and York County Board of Realtors; the Sanford Springvale Chamber of Commerce, and the Kiwanis Club. Gil was also a member of the Lafayette Club, the Knights of Columbus as well as the Elks. Gil was an active member of the Maine Children's Cancer Program fundraising committee through the Elks for many years. Gil loved sports. He played both ice hockey and softball on many different teams over the years. He also enjoyed playing racquetball. Gil coached both of his daughters in both softball and soccer, tweaking his baseball and hockey skills for his girls. Gil was a huge fan of the New York Yankees, the Montreal Canadiens as well as U. Maine hockey. Gil always worked hard and played hard as well. He had a tremendous drive in all that he set his mind to accomplish. He was an excellent provider to his family, a wonderful husband, father and Pepere. He was a role model to many and a friend to even more.Gil was predeceased by his father Camille Dionne and by his sister Dianne Dionne Balda.Gil is survived by Linda, his wife of 31 years, their daughters Christina Dionne and Michelle Sheppard, her husband Scott and their daughter Madison all of Sanford. He is also survived by his mother Imelda Dionne of Lewiston, and two sisters Yolande Dionne, also of Lewiston and Monique Dionne, of Windham, New Hampshire as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.Visting hours will be held on Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main Street, Springvale. A funeral service will be held on Monday at 11 AM at the Curtis Lake Christian Church in Sanford with the Rev. Jim McAtee officiating. Burial will be in Oakdale Cemetery in Sanford.In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Maine Children's Cancer Program, 100 US Route 1, Unit 107, Scarborough, ME 04074-9308.Arrangements are through the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main Street, Springvale.To send the family a message of condolence, please use the Condolences tab at left.