Joseph T. R. Dionne

Joseph T. R. Dionne, Sr., 80, of Sanford, died at his home on Wednesday, December 19, 2012 after a brief illness.Joseph was born in Biddeford on January 19, 1932 to George and Amanda (Dutremble) Dionne, Sr. He grew up in Biddeford and attended local schools, graduating from Thornton Academy in 1952. After finishing high school he married Marjorie Lombard and together they raised eight children. He served in Air Force Intelligence during the Korean War.Joseph and his wife lived in Connecticut for many years. He was a talented athlete and a sports enthusiast. He continued this passion while living in Connecticut in the 1970's where he coached the Senior Ram football team, the American Legion Post # 91 baseball team, founded the Senior League baseball league and instrumental in the development of the local high school athletic boosters club. He was also an active member of the American Legion Post # 91 while in Connecticut. Joseph and his wife eventually moved back to Maine where he was employed for many years at the Portsmouth Naval Ship Yard where he stayed until his retirement. Joseph was very active in the American Legion Post #19 in Sanford and was a member of the AMVETS Post #3in Sanford. He was also an active member of the Trafton Senior Center. He will be remembered as a loving father and an outgoing man with many friends and will be dearly missed.Surviving are eight children, Cathy Taber of Plainfield, CT, Joseph Dionne, Jr. of Norwich, CT, James Dionne of Caribou, ME, John Dionne of Sarasota, FL, Jean Dionne of Wells, ME, Christine Michele Dionne of Sanford, ME, Jamie Beauregard of Norwich, CT and Eddie Manley of Norwich, CT; 11 grandchildren and 12 grandchildren.A graveside service with military honors will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, January 18th at the Southern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery located on Stanley Road in Springvale.Arrangements are under the direction of Black Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, Sanford-Springvale.Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the American Cancer Society, New England Division, 1 Bowdoin Mill Island Suite 300, Topsham, ME 04086.To leave a message of condolence for the family please click on the condolences tab to the left.