Celine Dion’s brother Daniel Dion is dead at 59. Daniel’s death comes just two days after Celine’s husband, Rene Angelil, died following an 18-year battle with throat cancer. On Friday, January 15, Claudette Dion, Daniel, and Celine’s sister announced Daniel was suffering from a similar form of cancer as Angelil. In the statement, Claudette revealed Daniel may have only days to live. Celine’s brother passed away just hours later.
Daniel is survived by two daughters, Valerie and Marie-Michelle; two grandchildren, Matis and Laurianne; and an extended family of nieces, nephews, the Dion matriarch Therese, and his siblings. Daniel was born the eighth of 14 children.
Entertainment Tonight reports that a memorial service will take place at Salon Charles Rajotte on January 23. Several days later a funeral will be head for Daniel at St-Simon-et-Jude in Quebec.
The final days of Celine’s brother were spent at Maison Adhemar-Dion, which is a palliative care center located in Terrebonne, Quebec. A representative for Celine Dion and her family confirmed that Daniel was surrounded by loved ones when he died.
“Taking into consideration the reserved character of their deceased brother, the family wishes respect and discretion from the media,” a press released states. Daniel and Celine’s sister Claudette released a statement to the Journal of Montreal “[Daniel] was ready and he no longer suffered. It was serene.”
A celebration of Rene Angelil’s life will take place on Friday, January 22 at Notre Dame Basilica in Montreal. In 1994, Celine married Rene in a lavish ceremony at the same church. On February 3, a tribute concert entitled “A Celebration of Life” will be held at Caesars Palace Colosseum in honor of Rene.
The Dion family asks that those wishing to send flowers make donations in Daniel and Rene’s names to the Maison Adhemar-Dion. As Celine Dion and children Rene-Charles, Nelson, and Eddy mourn the loss of both Rene Angelil and Daniel Dion, our thoughts go out to the entire Dion family.
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