REV. LEO J. DIONNE, OMI
MISSIONARY OBLATE PRIEST FOR 50 YEARS

Rev. Leo J. Dionne, OMI, 77, died unexpectedly on July 29, 2009 at Baptist Hospital in Miami, FL. He was born on May 16, 1932 in Gloucester, MA, the son of the late Leo and Marjorie McDonald Dionne, one of five siblings.

In the early years, Fr. Dionne was educated in Newport, RI and Gloucester, MA. He completed his first two years of college at the Oblate Seminary in Newburgh, NY. Following his novitiate year and first vows on September 8, 1953, he was assigned to Rome and studied at the Pontifical Angelicum University, where he received Licentiates in both Philosophy and Theology. He also received a Masters in Physics from the University of Buffalo and later attended Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT, receiving a Masters in Liberal Sciences.

Fr. Leo was Ordained to the priesthood in Roviano, Italy on July 12, 1959 and had just celebrated his 50th Anniversary of priesthood.

Fr. Dionne spent his years of priesthood in education and in parish ministry. He taught from 1961 to 1976 at Bishop Fallon High School in Buffalo, NY; Our Lady of the Snows Oblate Seminary in Pass Christian, MS; Our Lady of Hope Junior Seminary, Newburgh, NY and Cardinal Newman High School in West Palm Beach, FL. From 1976 to 2005 he was assigned to many parishes as a Pastor or Associate Pastor. He ministered at Sacred Heart in Princeton, WV and was then assigned to parishes in Florida, St. Timothy’s in Miami; St. Stephen’s in Miramar; St. George’s in Ft. Lauderdale; Christ the King in Perrine; St. John Fisher in West Palm Beach; Holy Redeemer in Miami and St. Monica’s in Opa Locka. He retired in July of 2005 and moved to the Joseph Gerard Residence in Miramar where he remained until his death.

Fr. Dionne is survived by three sisters and three brothers in law, Marie Cantwell of Waltham, MA; Janice and Robert Knowles of Papillion, NE; Priscilla and Fred White of Gloucester, MA, and Dominic Libro of Saltwater Way, Jacksonville, FL. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. He was predeceased by one sister, Anne Libro, who died in Dunwoody, GA in May of 2005.

The Boyd-Panciera Family Funeral Care, 6400 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, FL is in charge of arrangements.

Calling hours will be on Friday, July 31, 2009 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at St. Stephen’s Church in Miramar, FL followed by the Mass of Christian burial at 8:00 PM Friday. Fr. Dionne’s remains will then be transpsorted to Tewksbury, MA for final services and burial.