George Joseph Dion

Lieutenant Colonel George Joseph Dion, US Army Retired, 79, of Hertford, NC, passed away peacefully Friday, July 12, 2013 in Portsmouth Naval Medical Center with his family by his side. Born in Passaic, NJ, he was the son of the late George Rosario and Delia Kelly Dion. Minutes after receiving his B.S. degree from St. Peter's College on June 7, 1954, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the US Army, a career he would continue for 21 distinguished years, including two combat tours in Vietnam. He received numerous awards and citations, including two Bronze Stars, two Meritorious Service Medals, two Air Medals, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, five Army Commendation Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Silver Star, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 4 stars (indicating two years in combat), the Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm, the Vietnam Honor Medal, the Vietnam Training Medal, and his most prized commendation, the Combat Infantryman's Badge. After retiring in 1977, LTC Dion had a second successful career in the private sector, building on his military expertise in systems evaluation and testing. In 1996, he decided to pursue a full-time life of leisure in North Carolina. A member of both Holy Family Catholic Church and the William Paul Stallings Post # 126 of the American Legion, he was a writer throughout his life, culminating in a 115 page autobiography detailing those memories and experiences. A lifelong avid fisherman, he spent countless hours on piers, beaches and boats, shirtless and happy in the sun, and giving his catch away to whomever might need it. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Margo Zupa. Surviving are his wife of 53 years, Carole Babitz Dion; a son, Douglas Dion and wife Mary of Iowa City, IA; a daughter, Carla McDowell and husband Perry of Salinas, CA; a sister, Marilyn Gronda of Pompton Plains, NJ; a brother, Thomas Dion of Teachey, NC; three adoring grandchildren, Katrina Dion, Collin McDowell, and Michael Dion; and numerous nieces and nephews. A Mass of Resurrection will be held Friday at 11:00 a.m. in Holy Family Catholic Church. Friends may join the family Thursday from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in Miller & Van Essendelft Funeral Home, 1125 Harvey Point Road, Hertford. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his memory may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.