Denis "Dionisio" Bessonart

DENIS / DIONISIO BESSONART

June 15, 1924 – April 4, 2021

Denis, 96, entered eternal life on April 4, 2021.  He was born in Amaiur, Spain on June 15, 1924 to Tomasa Yribarren and Juan Bessonart.  Dionisio was the fourth child born into in a family of six siblings.  As a young adult, he yearned for the American dream of opportunity and came to the United States to work for his aunt and uncle in 1951.  He worked for them as a hay baler and eventually married the love of his life, Julie Mendiburu on November 26, 1957.  Together they built a beautiful life together until her passing on October 17, 1998. 

Of course, Dionisio was devastated by Julie’s passing but he persevered through after all these years charming anyone with a funny story or two or playing a game of poker or mus with a drink in hand.  He could amaze everyone he met with the things he could do for his age.

Denis was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Julie; parents; brother Vidal and wife Jeanne Bessonart; brothers, Jose and Michel, and sister Louisette and husband Henri Sabarots.

Dionisio is survived by his brother, Antonio Bessonart and wife Pepita; niece, Jennifer McCall; niece, Denise Veschembes; niece, Jo Ann Mendiburu; brother-in-law, Michael Mendiburu; sisters-in-law, Mayie and Irene Bessonart, and numerous nieces and nephews and their extended families still residing in the U.S. and France.

Viewing will be held at 9:30am with rosary to follow at Doughty Calhoun O’Meara funeral home followed by a graveside service at Union Cemetery on Saturday, April 10th, 2021.  In lieu of flowers, those who wish to make a donation, please make it to the charity of your choice.