DUNNE Eric Benedict
(July 6, 1943 – July 8, 2020)
Passed peacefully away at home after a short but courageous battle with cancer, Eric Dunne, age 77 years, of St. John’s, NL. Leaving to mourn with broken hearts and cherished memories his beloved wife and best friend of 52 years, Mary (née Kane); daughter Dr. Shelly Dunne and her children Erica, Thomas and Tessa Lindsay of Toronto, ON; son Barry Dunne, his wife Denise, and their children Catherine, Meredith and Kane. Also leaving to mourn his sister Maureen (Jim) Murray; brothers Gordon (Yvonne) Dunne, and Joe (Phyllis) Dunne; his brothers- and sisters-in law Evelyn Hamilton, Margaret Kane, Rosalie (Leo) Stead, Joselyn Kane, Teresa (Adolf) Mann, Josephine (Jerry) Johnson, Sharon Kane, Eugene (Beverly) Kane, Paul (Jackie) Kane, Diane Sullivan, and Gerard (Heather) Kane; as well as a wide circle of nieces, nephews, friends and former colleagues, and special friends and neighbours Wilfred and Mamie Howell. Eric was predeceased by his parents Patrick and Catherine (née Corcoran) Dunne of Renews, parents-in-law Thomas and Margaret (née Berrigan) Kane of Renews, and several beloved members of the Dunne and Kane families. Eric and Mary were inseparable; you rarely saw one without the other. During the winter, they enjoyed their time in Indian Shores, Florida, and in the summer it was home to Renews where they spent long hours peacefully gardening, picking berries, fishing, walking, and enjoying retirement together. A loving father and grandfather, he was so proud of his daughter, son and grandchildren and was always keenly interested in their lives, careers, and activities. Eric’s love of sports was legendary, and he always enjoyed a well-told story, a fine meal, great music, and good conversation. Quietly and without fuss, he was there with support and compassion whenever he was needed by family and friends, a solid shoulder of immeasurable strength. A proud alumnus of Memorial University, Eric spent his illustrious 30-year professional career with the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans. He was appointed Regional Directorgeneral for Newfoundland and Labrador in May 1980. During his career, Eric stewarded our province through many difficult times, the most challenging being the announcement of the cod moratorium in 1992. He retired in 1995, and then spent many years as a respected consultant, writer, and teacher. The family wishes to thank the Community Health and Palliative Care Teams for their compassion and professionalism, as well as family and friends who provided unwavering support during Eric’s brief illness. A true gentleman, Eric passed on just as he lived: quietly, peacefully, and with great dignity. His gentle ways, keen intellect, wry sense of humour, generosity of heart, and wise advice will be sadly missed. Resting at Caul’s Funeral Home, Lemarchant Road, St. John’s. A public visitation – in keeping with current Covid-19 restrictions – will be held on Saturday, July 11 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. A private family service will be held on Sunday, July 12 at 3:00 p.m. For those who wish to join us virtually, the service will be live streamed on www.cauls.ca. A celebration of Eric’s life will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Eric’s memory may be made to the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Care Foundation. To send a message of condolence, please visit www.cauls.ca. “You were the wind beneath our wings. And we’ll be the finest kind.”