We all felt it, that disturbance in the force. Like a million boys cried out at once!
I kid, but the news of losing Daddy Dion sent shock waves across the community, and all were saddened by it.
Say what you will about him, but I am sure the context of your statement will be nothing but love. Not because we want to honor the man in death, but because of the way he lived his life. Dion is/was first and foremost a person of extreme principles whose own moral compass pointed to a true north. He was a waymarker for so many of us working to find our own way in this world.
Like anyone, he wasn’t without his own flaws, but he didn’t hide them. He was honest about himself. It is a singular wisdom one doesn’t experience often, and when you do you sit at the master’s knee and listen because you are bound to learn something.
Power House of a Man, Heart of Gleaming Gold!
Anyone who knew Daddy Dion knows that like his partner Daddy Sal, community mattered to him. Many a newcomer found their way into his orbit. But he wasn’t a person to be trifled with. Level and fair-minded I personally always found my interactions with him to be at minimum the education I needed at that moment. Always ready with an “atta-boy” when needed, or a gentle and firm hand on counterpoint. Dion was about building people up so they could find their full potential.
Don’t take my word for it, this man had fans.
You can’t deny Daddy Dion was liked, and swayed influence in the leather community as a whole. But that wasn’t him. I feel like he never saw himself as a maker of royalty, a move or shaker, or any of that jazz. No….He was just “Daddy,” and honestly…..it made us love him more.
He and Daddy Sal always made sure you were well hydrated and just as well fed. Daddy Dion just cared, and it wasn’t forced or faked.
He was like Your Korean Dad….Just Italian, (and if you have ever seen any of these videos or memes, you TOTALLY understand what I am talking about.
So many of us had that “I’m Your Dad Now” conversation with him during those moments when our bio-families may have been less receptive to our truest selves. Again Daddy Dion and Daddy Sal were there to pick up where others couldn’t or wouldn’t.
The Daddies, and their unbreakable love.
Daddy Dion and Daddy Sal were the archetypes of what we all wanted out of our lives. A strong partnership built on love and trust which stood the test of time and indifferences. For 39+ years these two created a place for so many while standing together on a foundation of unshakeable bedrock.
We all know that it takes two to make “it” happen. I personally have no clue what “it” is but Daddy Dion and Daddy Sal had whatever “it” was. I am sure they had their moments, what couple doesn’t, but whatever happened, I do ever recall seeing these two share a cross word in public.
Together with their pup Loyal, they created a family unit we could all be proud of, I know they were sure happy.
I am sure Loyal is hurting to, so I will say to him, it’s okay, you are allowed too.
With all of that said, I leave you with this…..
I have shed more than a few tears while writing this, and crying would not have been something Daddy Dion would have wanted out of any of us. He’d want us to just get on with it, and that’s just what we are going to do. Life will continue, we will keep on keeping on. And in that, we will honor the man and the lessons he gave us.
Now I am not saying we won’t have our sad moments, and a good cry is a perfectly healthy thing to do….or so I have been told.
When someone fills your heart with love, true good love, you remember it. The loss of a friend, a mentor, a member of your family is never easy. Isn’t it good we have that love Daddy Dion gave us to fill our hearts which will remain with us all….forever.
Love you Daddy!
