Dion died of congestion of the lungs at his mother's home in Montreal on October 2, 1878. He had been afflicted with a lingering severe cold for three years, and had spent several months in warmer climes with the hope of recovering his health. Shortly before his death he left New York City to visit his mother and rest under her care, but caught a fresh cold during his train trip in a sleeper car, and died soon after reaching his mother's home. He was 35 years old.
