After a long illness, Jean–Paul Dionne, husband for 60 years of Jane (Doyle) Dionne and son of Elisha J. and Virginia Dionne passed away on November 17at home surrounded by his family. The week before his demise he and his wife renewed their marriage vows with his family present and Rev. Laura Biddle presiding. .

He was a life long resident of Salem and had lived at Salem Willows since 1961. He graduated from Salem Vocational School: attended Salem High School; enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1948. He served on both the Pacific and Atlantic Coasts on the U.S.S. Perkins, the U.S.S. Picking, the U.S.S. Yosemite and the U.S.S. FDR. While on the Pacific Coast he witnessed the atomic bomb testing at Aniwtok and was on the Perkins when they participated in the evacuation of the Chinese Embassy. While on the Picking he served in the Korean War. He sailed on two around the world cruises in the Navy and left the service after 13 years in 1960. He was a disabled veteran.

Jean worked for many years as a fleet mechanic for J.J. Cronin Co. in North Reading.

Over the years he served in many capacities and offices at the Tabernacle Congregational Church in Salem. He was chair of the Property Committee, sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, served on the Missions Committee, chaired the annual Friendship Fair for nine years and for several years chaired the Vacation Bible School held in conjunction with the First Baptist Church.

Mr. Dionne also served on the Board of Directors of the Brookhouse Home for Women and the Plummer Home for Boys.

In addition to his wife he leaves three children: Paul and his wife Susan of Derry, N.H., Ellen White and her husband Kevin of Salem and John and his wife Susan of Gloucester. He leaves his greatest joy his grandchildren Cowan, Erin, Kathryn, Benjamin, Alyssa, Tony and his wife Caitlyn, Colin, Hannah and Aidan and great-grandchildren, Isabella, Evan and Frank. A lover of Golden Retrievers he also leaves his loyal dog Honey.

Mr. Dionne leaves a brother Donald and his wife Sheila of Beverly and his sister-in-law Roberta and her husband Peter Pool of Essex, CT. He leaves two special nieces, Kari Petrovic and her husband Marc of Centerbrook, CT with their daughters Phoebe and Kay and Bridget Pool and her partner Scott McKinley of Falls Church, VA and many other nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by siblings Virginia Dionne, Simone Burke, Lucille Patterson, Denise Phillips, Joanne Lake and Elisha Dionne, Jr.

There will be a Memorial Service on Saturday, November 23 at 10 AM at Tabernacle Congregation Church, 50 Washington St. in Salem. Visiting hours will be at the Murphy Funeral Home at 85 Federal St., (cor of North St.) in Salem from 4-8 P.M. on Wednesday, November 20th. In lieu of flowers please donate to the Plummer Home for Boys at 37 Winter Island Rd. in Salem. For additional information or on line guest book please call 978 744 0497 or visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com.