Ronald Dion, 61, leader in Boston real estate industry

RONALD R. DION (globe file/1992)

Ronald R. Dion of Swampscott, a key figure in commercial real estate in Eastern Massachusetts, died Friday of a heart attack. He was 61.

Mr. Dion was chairman and chief executive of R.M. Bradley & Co., Inc., a real estate brokerage company that has managed several high-profile developments, including the Prudential Center.

He was also chairman of the board of John Hancock Mutual Funds.

"Boston as a community is going to miss him more than they thought," said friend and colleague Edward J. Boudreau Jr., retired chairman and chief executive of John Hancock Funds. "He tried to do something good every day."

For several years, Mr. Dion served as president of the Greater Boston Real Estate Board, an influential association supporting the industry.

Mr. Dion also was involved in many other businesses and trade associations. He served on the board of directors of B.J.'s Wholesale Club Inc., chairing the company's executive compensation committee and corporate governance committee. He was a director at Cramer Inc. and the New England Council. Mr. Dion was also a member of the board of governors of the Boston Stock Exchange.

"Ron was a gifted business leader. He was a major presence in the Boston business community," said Jim Boyle, president of John Hancock Insurance.

Mr. Dion was also a trustee of Emmanuel College, and he served on the advisory board of the Carroll School of Management at Boston College.

He received his undergraduate degree from Boston University in 1968 and graduated from Boston College Law School.

Mr. Dion remained an avid fan of BU hockey.

"Ron became important member of the Friends of BU Hockey and was one of the biggest supporters," said his former classmate and friend Jack Parker, head coach of the BU men's team. "He had a box at the rink and came to all the games for about 20 to 25 years."

An avid golfer, Mr. Dion was a member of the Tedesco Country Club for 34 years, said his wife, Patti (Underhill). Conscious of his physical well-being, Mr. Dion ran many marathons and rode his bicycle often. Mr. Dion was a dog lover and his pet, P.J., a Yorkshire terrier was often with him.

Mr. Dion died at the country club Friday after returning from a bike ride.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Dion leaves two sons; Tyson and Todd; his mother Anita (Soucy); a brother, Tom; and a sister Debbie.

A funeral Mass will be said today at 10 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church in Swampscott.