AUGUSTA — Peter L. Dionne, 81, died unexpectedly at home Tuesday, March 27.
Born in Lewiston in 1936 to Muriel (Jo) Ayer and Donatien Dionne, Peter grew up on Webster Street with his younger brother, Andre. He graduated from Lewiston High School in 1954 and moved on to Bowdoin College, where he joined Sigma Nu fraternity and continued his high school sports of track and football, leaving Bowdoin at graduation in 1958 with a math degree, football-injured knees and friendships that would be lifelong.
On Aug. 2, 1958, he married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Mary Frances Lawlor. They would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this coming August.
He was a dedicated teacher for more than 50 years. He taught math in several places: at Edward Little High School in Auburn, through a distance-education pilot program for the state of Maine, and in Needham, Massachusetts, after getting his master’s degree at Boston College, eventually making his way to Cony High School, where he stayed for 17 years as head of the math department and then assistant principal. He left Cony for the University of Maine at Augusta, where he taught math and computer programming for several decades. He also served on the Augusta School Board for several years. After retirement, he continued teaching through volunteer work in the Augusta schools.
Peter continued his passions for sports and music throughout his life. He was a football referee for 25 years, and loved watching the Patriots and the Red Sox, including their game this past weekend. He also loved music, especially jazz and big band.
He played trombone, participating in several local and regional music groups, as well as a folk music Mass group at St. Mary’s Church and several jazz bands. He played jazz trombone at his daughter’s wedding in 2001.
More than even music and sports, Peter loved his wife, Mary; his two children Catherine (Kate) of Auburn and Martin of Hallowell; and his four grandchildren: Kieran, Keridwen, Connor, and Riley. From digging worms with them to posing them math problems to helping them in and out of their winter gear, he was a wonderful grandfather. As well as his wife, kids and grandkids, Peter is survived by his brother, Andre Dionne, and his wife, Kathy, of New York; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Bill and Julie Lawlor of Freeport; his daughter-in-law, Lara (Crocker) Dionne, and his son-in-law, Greg Tulonen.
Condolences, photos and memories may be shared at www.plummerfh.com.
Peter L. Dionne
Send questions/comments to the editors.