Joseph Harold Dionne
January 6, 1937 – March 8, 2022
Funeral Mass
Friday, March 18, 2022 at 10:30 AM
Chapel of St. Joseph – Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home
Interment
Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery
8361 Yonge Street, Thornhill, ON, L3T 2C7
Obituary
Peacefully, at McKenzie Health Palliative Care. His flame will be carried by his loving wife of 65 years, Barbara (Brennan), his two sons Bob and Rick (Claire), and his granddaughter, Laura.
Harold was born in Quebec City in 1937 to Laura (Hunter) and Charles Dionne, whose family arrived in the St. Lawrence River Valley in 1663. A working class kid, Harold and his brothers took weekly showers at the local YMCA. At age 11, he found his first regular paycheque working as a bellhop in one of the city’s bustling hotels. After graduating from St. Pat’s High and night studies at Laval University, Harold took a job with IAC finance, which transferred him to Montreal in 1962, and then to Toronto during the Canada-Russia Summit Series of ’72. Here he helped the firm establish Continental Bank of Canada, all the while discovering Ontario with his young family, one hockey rink, and one provincial park, at a time. Harold retired at 55 to establish his own consulting firm, Dionne & Associates.
Harold was a snowbird, a world traveller, and a coast-to-coast explorer of North America through the open windows of oversized four-door Buicks and Dodges — this, after discovering the limitations on his first family car, a 1956 VW Bug. Harold was also an oft-bandaged home handyman, a despairing fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs, and a tomato sandwich connoisseur who loved a cold martini and a well-turned double play. Harold was a long-time member of Thornhill Country Club where he pursued a passion for curling and an unrequited love of golf. A past-president of Don Mills Rotary, a Paul Harris Fellow, Harold was also an avid volunteer who worked with Good Shephard shelter Toronto, St. Vincent De Paul, and Out of the Cold, among others. He was also a member of St. Luke’s congregation in Thornhill.
And always, a loving husband and dedicated father who left a foundation of all good memories.
Harold is predeceased by his younger brothers Norman (Brenda) and Jerry (Diana). A private service will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery in Thornhill. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Parkinson’s Canada at www.parkinson.ca/getinvolved/waystogive/
1 Messages
JOHN
on March 12, 2022 at 12:10 pm
WAS LIKE A CLOSE FAMILY MEMBER HAROLD SHARED MANY GOOD TIMES WITH LIETTE AND I AND MY FAMILY BOTH AT THE LAKE AND IN MTL AND FLORIDA.WE WERE FORTUNATE TO HAVE SEEN HIM IN OCT IN TORONTO.MY KIDS AND I WILL MISS HIM .HOPEFULLY HE HAS MET MY WIFE IN HEAVEN BY NOW AND THEY WILL LOOK OVER US FROM CLOUD 9.REST IN PEACE HAROLD AND THANK YOU FOR A LONGTIME FRIENDSHIP,,,,,,,,,,JOHN AND FAMILY
Reply
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Joseph Harold Dionne 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Thornhill, Province: Ontario
I just came across this obituary. I am very sorry to hear of Harold’s passing…it’s been a long time, but I have fond memories of him at “Courtham Opens” and welcoming Bob’s friends to their home with a funny line or a good story.
He was a very warm, nice man and a obviously a great Dad to Bob and Rick My deepest sympathies to the family and warm regards to Bob and Rick and Mrs Dionne.
Bob and Rick, Sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. Will always appreciate his friendly demeanor and dry wit, whether after a game, studying at York or a Courtham Open. Soon realized where you boyz got it from.
Thoughts with you both and families
Dear Bob and Rick, so sorry to hear of the loss of your dad. Many fond memories of him with his quick and dry sense of humor growing up in Thornhill either at the rink or at the Courtham Open Golf Tournament. He and your mom always made us feel welcome on Friday nights where we listened to Neil Young and Lynyrd Skynyrd down your basement before we went out for the night. (much to his chagrin lol) Thoughts and prayers to your family during this difficult time. God bless.
Dear Barbara, I was so sad and shocked to hear of Harold’s death and wish to express my sincere sympathy to you, Bob, Rick and family. We had such a lovely visit with you a few years ago and were hoping for the end of this damn Covid so we could meet up again. It’s so sad and hard to believe that Harold and Liette are both now gone. We keep in touch with Larry fairly often. Maybe we can all meet again before too long. I’ve said more than a few Hail Marys for you and for Harold and will be thinking of you in the days to come. Take care of yourself. God Bless. Love, your cousin Luanne
Dear Barbara,
My deepest sympathies to you and your family. It’s been many years since we’ve last crossed paths, dating back to our roots in Quebec City. Harold was a few years ahead of me at St. Pats and I remember him as one of those ‘nice guys’, who was always pleasant with me. He obviously led a full and meaningful life of which you can all be proud.
May he rest in peace.
Larry O’Connell