Dennis Bruce Dion

He was born July 9, 1938, and was one of four children born of the late Albert and Emma (Kratt) Dion. He graduated from Lake Linden-Hubbell High School in 1956 and fromMichigan Tech in 1960, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.

During his summer breaks, Dennis worked for the Dion Brothers’ logging company. After college, he worked sixty years as an engineer. He continued to advance his career, which took him to Detroit, Cleveland, Pittsburgh and finally to Houston, where he worked for PATCO Machine & Fab for 33 years and retired at the age of 82. With his engineering skills and sales experience, Dennis was instrumental in transitioning PATCO into a one source turn-key facility and increasing the client base. He developed many friendships with those he worked with and he and Johnny, the owner of PATCO, enjoyed time together even after retirement. Dennis developed many patents and was key to transforming an oil-field machining business into a multi-faceted and customized engineering service business.

Dennis was the proud father of six children, and he raised them by supporting faith, promoting education and instilling a strong everyday work ethic tempered by an exuberance for life. He enjoyed Texans tailgates, Napa trips, home projects, gardening, woodworking including building a house, and watching his grandchildren’s sports activities. He was instrumental in leading his grandson Michael to earn his Eagle Scout rank.

Always up for adventure, Dennis began to travel more extensively as he reached his golden years. One of his work colleagues, Bil Stewart, introduced him to sailing and together they began their adventures in the British Virgin Islands. Eventually he began introducing his children to the joy of sailing. Natalie was so inspired by these experiences with Pops that she gained her Bareboat Charter Sailing Certification which prompted more of his children and friends to enjoy the experiences with him. All his children were able to share vacations to far-away places, which included many trips to Mexico, British Virgin Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Bahamas, Hawaii and Tahiti. Tahiti was a truly memorable trip with Dennis, who at the age of 76, sailed the Tahitian Islands, rode a bike 20-miles around Bora Bora and climbed 1200 feet to the top of Maupiti.

Dennis was also a great storyteller, and he was said to have come across an abandoned sinking catamaran and pirates in those Tahitian waters… In his musings he always brought to life his youthful shenanigans, his travels and other exciting adventures in life.

He is survived by five of his children Mark Dion and spouse, Deborah, Michael Dion, Denise Dion, Natalie Dion and Randall Dion; their loving mother, Marilyn (Gagnon) Finnegan; five grandchildren, Nicholas Dion and spouse, Claudia, Claire Elizabeth Dion, Michael Paul Sandstrom, Taylor Dion and spouse, Macy, and Cody Dion. Also surviving are his brothers Ronald Dion and Larry Dion. Dennis leaves behind many loving relatives and friends too numerous to list.

Dennis is preceded in death by his son Jeffrey Dion, daughter-in-law, Karen Bayley Dion, parents Albert and Emma (Kratt) Dion and sister, Sandra Dion Le Fleur.

The Rosary will be recited at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 13, 2024, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. with celebrant Rev Francisco J. Quezada from the Diocese of Colorado Springs, CO. The Rosary and Mass will be held at Saints Simon and Jude Catholic Church located at 26777 Glen Loch Drive, The Woodlands, TX 77381, where Dennis was a member for over 35 years. There are two Live Stream links, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ssjwoodlands and YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/ssjwoodlands.

The Rite of Committal will take place next to his son, Jeffrey, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 2016 Willis Lane, Keller, TX 76248 on Saturday, June 15, 2024 at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, his family encourages a donation made in memory of Dennis to the Houston Area Parkinson’s Society https://haps.org Click “Donate Now” and complete form, including a dedication to Dennis. You may contact Gini Brown (713) 313-1621 with any questions.