John Michael Denion, Sr. of Maitland, Florida passed away August 4, 2016 after a brief illness and many years of independence and perseverance in the face of other health challenges. Mr. Denion was born in Hazleton, Pennsylvania and grew up in Freeland, Pennsylvania, where he attended Saint Ann's Parochial School and graduated from MMI Preparatory School. He also lived in Reisterstown, MD and Medford, NJ.

He was a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University and was a retired Branch Chief for the Health Care Financing Administration. He had a long career during which he helped establish the framework for the federal Medicare and Medicaid programs; however, the most rewarding part to him was the fieldwork he did earlier for the Social Security Administration. He retired in 1987 and was a resident of Maitland, Florida since 1994.

He was a loving husband, father and grandfather, a favorite uncle to many and a memorable member of every community in which he lived, since he always spared a moment to stop and talk. As his children were growing up, he was a surrogate father and mentor to many of their friends, who relied upon him for advice and guidance. He enjoyed writing poetry for his family and cooking but he will be most remembered for his sense of humor and his ability to tell a good story in the finest Irish tradition. He was John the Beloved.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Ann Noel Brennan Denion, who was by his side when he passed away. He is also survived by his sons John (Deatre) Denion, Jr. of Pooler, Georgia, Conal (Nancy) Denion of White Plains, New York, and Christopher Denion of Sanford, Florida as well as his daughter Ann Denion (David) Hoskins of Bedford, New York. He also leaves his loving grandchildren Alexis Zalewski, Cecelia Denion, Aaron Denion, Julia Denion, Joanna Denion and Chloe Hoskins. He is survived by his sisters Joan Boyle and Margaret Vineis and his brother, Cornelius Denion. He was predeceased by his son, Joseph Denion, his parents Cecelia and Cornelius Denion, his brother William Denion and his sisters Mary Grace Jones and Patricia Mulhearn.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 10, 2016 at Saint Margaret Mary Catholic Church, 526 North Park Avenue, Winter Park, Florida. Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 9, 2016 and from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, August 10, 2016 at DeGusipe Funeral Home, 9001 North Orlando Avenue, Maitland, Florida.

A memorial service and internment will be held at a later date in Freeland, Pennsylvania. Details will be shared when they become available.

Memorial Donations in the memory of John M. Denion, Sr. may be made to: Special Olympics of Pennsylvania, 2570 Blvd. of the Generals, Ste. 124, Norristown, PA 19403.