Norton Obituaries for the Week of June 15

The following are the Norton obituaries for June 15.

Paul J. Dion

Paul J. Dion, Jr., 73, a lifelong resident of Norton passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 13, 2012 at the Golden Living Center, on George St. in Attleboro.

He was the beloved husband of Martha A. (Reilly) Dion, to whom he was wed on January 25, 1964.

Born in Attleboro, MA on May 31,1939, he was a loving son of the late Paul J., Sr. and Florence (Lavigne) Dion. He was educated in Norton schools and from 1961-1963, he served in the United States Army prior to being honorably discharged.

Mr. Dion worked as a process engineer for Leach and Garner/Cookson America and retired after 49 years, in 2005. During his career, he was a member of the Foreman’s Club as well as the Jeweler’s Association of America.

A communicant of St. Mary’s Church in Norton, Paul enjoyed spending time with his family, music, camping trips, gardening, traveling as well as playing golf, bowling, horseshoes and cribbage.

He had a charismatic sense of humor and was always ready with a good “one-liner”. He was a former coach for the Norton Little League and was also an avid country dancer and was a member of the Down East Dancers, from which he gained many wonderful friendships.

In addition to his beloved wife of 48 years, he is survived by his devoted children: Denise L. Giblin and her husband Steven of Norton, TSgt Neal R. Dion, USAF and his wife Terri of Summerville, SC and Steven M. Dion and his wife Wendy of Norton.

The dear brother of Shirley A. Pierce of Attleboro, Phillip R. Dion and his friend Dick Berube of Norton, Carol A. McGee and her husband Stephen of Attleboro Falls, Florence J. Gillard of Bakersfield, CA, Robert R. Dion and his wife Laurel of Pawtucket, RI and the late George E. Dion and Roland N. “Pokey” Dion, he is also survived by his sister-in law Joyce Dion of Mansfield, as well as his cherished grandchildren, Eryn Dion, Katie Dion, Kylie Dion, Aiden Dion, Casey Dion, Nathan Dion, and two foster grandchildren, and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, June 18, at 10 a.m.. in St. Mary’s Church, 1 Power Street, Norton. Burial with military honors will follow in the Crane-Leonard Cemetery, Norton.

Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, June 17, from 5-8 p.m. at the Norton Memorial Funeral Home, 19 Clapp St., (Off Route 140, Taunton Ave.) Norton.

In lieu of flowers, the Dion family has requested that donations in Paul’s memory be made to Alzheimer’s Association, Massachusetts Chapter, 311 Arsenal St., Watertown, MA 02472 or the Fisher House Boston, 1400 Veterans of Foreign Wars Parkway, West Roxbury, MA 02132.

For additional information, please visit www.nortonmemorial.com

Mary E. (Dunn) Pichi

Mary E. (Dunn) Pichi, 71, of Norton, died, in the comfort of her home, on Tuesday, June 12, 2012. She was the beloved wife of the late Roxy Pichi who died on November 19, 1998.

Born in Brockton, MA on June 26, 1940, she was a daughter of the late John A. and Mary G. (Wheeler) Dunn.

Mrs. Pichi grew up in Rockland and was a graduate of Rockland High School. She furthered her education, receiving her teachers degree from Framingham State College. She later received her masters degree in special education from Bridgewater State College.

Prior to retiring, Mrs. Pichi had been employed for 10 years as a Disabilities Manager for the Head Start Program in Avon. She and her late husband Roxy had also owned and managed both the former Union Theater in Attleboro and the Tri-Boro Theater in North Attleboro.

A Norton resident for the past 32 years, Mrs. Pichi was a communicant of St. Mary’s Church in Norton. She enjoyed volunteering her time at the Literacy Center in Attleboro and for the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Always thinking of others first, Mrs. Pichi enjoyed assisting at the Epoch Senior Healthcare in Norton and playing cards with friends at the Norton Senior Center.

She is survived by her loving and devoted children: Susan Ryder- Lewis and her husband Jeff of Portsmouth, RI, Ellen M. Trullo and her husband Randy of North Carolina, Lucinda C. Elston of Norton and her former husband Dirk, and David A. Ryder and his wife Yuko of Melrose. She was the sister of Catherine Sheehan of New Jersey, Edward Dunn of Harwich and the late John Dunn and is also survived by her cherished grandchildren Alissa Sweetman, Ashley Sweetman, Christian Bailey, Talia Bailey, Jianna Roxy Lewis and Kaya Ryder, her sister-in law Anna King of Attleboro, and many nieces and nephews.

Services and burial were held privately.

If you would like to make a donation in Mrs. Pichi's memory, please donate to the Danielle Etter Fundraiser. Danielle is a family friend, who is 18-years-old and was recently diagnosed with leukemia. This fund was created to assist her family with medical costs. Donations may be sent to Rene Frye, 11 Johnson Drive, Lakeville, MA 02347.

Arrangements were under the care and direction of the Norton Memorial Funeral Home, 19 Clapp St., Norton.

For additional information, please visit www.nortonmemorial.com