Robert Lucien Dionne

Robert Lucien Dionne, age 87, died peacefully on June 30, 2026 at the Portage District General Hospital. Born August 5, 1938, in Willow Bunch, Saskatchewan, he was the son of Marie‑Anna (née Durand), born in Saint‑Gabriel‑de‑Brandon, Québec, and Édouard “Eddy” Dionne, born in Sarsfield, Ontario. Both the Dionne and Durand families were part of the great migration that settled the Wood Mountain region, where Robert grew up on a farm in Willow Bunch, Saskatchewan.

He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Pauline Cécile Beaudin, who died in 2018 and whom he missed every single day. He was also predeceased by his parents and by his siblings: Jeannine (infant); Jeanette (Skip McBain, d); Claudette (André LeClaire, d); Laurence (Roméo Martin, d); Doris (Albert St. Yves, d); Laurent “Larry” (Gabrielle, d); and Marcel (Rachel, d).

He leaves to mourn his treasured children: Daniel “Brother Dan” OMI, Joanne (Madonna House), and Suzanne “Suzie” (Pierre Baril); and his cherished grandchildren, Catherine (Julien) and Patrick. He is also survived by his brothers Denis (Cathy, d), Roger (and Lavinia), Claude (Marielle, d), his sister Laurette (Eugene, d), and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Known to his friends as “Bob,” he moved to Winnipeg after marrying Pauline and discovered his gift for mechanics. He worked at Shell, Gulf other independent garages across the city — from Taché and Provencher in St. Boniface to Nairn & Watt, Brandon & Osborne, and a busy station on Portage Avenue. Later, he and his cousin Ernest “Ernie” Durand opened the Portage Car Clinic, in Portage la Prairie, earning the trust of families across the city. In the final chapter of his working life, Robert served as a mechanic for the Portage la Prairie School Division, taking great pride in keeping school buses and division vehicles running safely for local children.

After a lifetime of keeping engines running, Bob carried that same practical genius into every corner of his life. A practical, down‑to‑earth, no‑nonsense man, he was never just a handyman — he was the one people called when a kitchen needed rebuilding, a basement needed framing, a deck needed designing, or a stubborn wire or pipe needed coaxing back to life. Carpentry, electronics, plumbing, renovation work of every kind — nothing stopped him from helping others with his gift of creating with his hands. He was affectionately known as Bob the builder!

Bob loved to dance, old time fiddle music, and bouncing his kids on his knee to the rhythm. He played the spoons with enthusiasm, bent more than a few pieces of Pauline’s cutlery, and even tried to learn the fiddle, though he eventually preferred the tape deck. His humour was easy and generous; he loved making people laugh. And in his French-Canadian way, he’d often conclude a conversation with: “Udder’dn dat…” - a playful turn of phrase that never failed to bring a smile.

He enjoyed Chicken Chef, Bill's Sticky Fingers, hockey (especially the Montreal Canadiens), summer trips to Willow Bunch, and the satisfaction of hard work.

A man of deep faith, he never missed Sunday Mass, believing his week would not go well without it. Before moving to Douglas Campbell Lodge, he thrived at Dufferin Villa, where he made many dear friends.

Dan, Joanne and Suzie extend heartfelt thanks to all who accompanied Bob in his later years with love, fidelity, and kindness.

Prayers will be held at McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel on Sunday, July 5, 2026 at 7:00 pm. Funeral Mass will take place at Good Shepherd Roman Catholic Church on Monday, July 6, 2026 at 11:00 am, led by Father Gerald Langevin. Private family interment will follow at the Evergreen Memorial Gardens Columbarium. The service will be livestreamed, to register and view see link below.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to honour Bob’s memory by offering to help someone in need.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel. www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com