Romeo founder and WWII veteran remembered

On Tuesday, Jan. 15, Allan (Doc) Dimon of Waverly passed away in his home, less than a month from his 101st birthday. 

Doc was one of the founders and oldest member of the Romeo’s (Retired Old Men Eating Out at Becky’s Diner in Waverly), and is believed to be Tioga County’s oldest WWII veteran in the European Theatre after the D-Day invasion.  

Doc was a well known and beloved retired optometrist after 44 years, a Waverly Rotary Paul Harris Fellow and longest member, Past Commander of the Sayre VFW Post, oldest member of the Waverly Methodist Church, volunteer for the Waverly School District, BOCES, Tioga County General Hospital and Robert Packer Hospital, plus many more and an accomplished pilot. 

On his 100th birthday last year, over 100 friends and family honored Doc at the Sayre VFW. He was the recipient of the Congressional Record from the House of Representatives, Proclamations by NYS Senator Fred Akshar, NYS Assemblyman Christopher Friend, and Waverly Mayor Patrick Ayres, recognizing Waverly’s No. 1 Citizen. Tioga County Legislative Chairwoman, Marty Sauerbrey, also recognized him. 

According to his obituary, Doc, the second son of Dr. Justus H. Dimon and Mary Luella Dimon, was born at home on Chemung Street in Waverly, N.Y., on Feb. 4, 1918. After graduation from Waverly High School in 1936, he continued his education at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, attaining his Doctor of Optometry degree in 1942. From 1942-1946 he served in the Army Medical Services Corps. While still serving his country, he met and married Lila Aho in 1943. They enjoyed 62 years of marriage before Lila passed in August 2005.

Upon completion of his military duty, Allan returned to the Valley and established his optometric practice in Sayre. He then moved his practice to Waverly in the ’60s. He continued to practice in Waverly until his retirement in 1988, after more than 40 years of serving his patients.

Dr. Dimon was a lifelong member of the Waverly Methodist Church. For many years he served as Sunday school superintendent. He also served different terms as a trustee, finally stepping down in his 90s. He was a life member of the Betowski-Vandermark Post of the Waverly American Legion. He helped construct the Quonset hut that served as the home of the Skiff-Bower Post 1536 VFW in Sayre for many years; he served as commander in 1952. An active Waverly Rotarian for many years, he was a past president and secretary of the club. 

For his service, he was awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship by the club. Being civic minded he served on the executive boards of the Tioga General Hospital and Robert Packer Hospital. He also served on the original Waverly Community Chest, the Salvation Army Board, the Waverly School Board and president of the B.O.C.E.S. Board.

In his spare time, he enjoyed many summer get-togethers with family and friends at their cottage on Seneca Lake. Allan and Lila were avid high school basketball fans, supporting Waverly High School and South Mountain High School in Phoenix, Ariz., where they wintered. Doc felt that one of his greatest accomplishments was obtaining his private pilot’s license at age 50.

After retiring, he volunteered with the Waverly Chapter of the American Red Cross along with delivering Meals on Wheels. Most mornings, he could be found at Becky’s Diner with his ROMEO (Retired Old Men Eating Out) buddies solving the issues of the day.., but mostly insulting each other! Birthday celebrations are always a big event for this group.

Besides his beloved wife Lila, Allan was predeceased by his eldest son Jeffrey in 2012, his parents, and brother Justus R. Dimon.

He is survived by his son Craig (Sherri) of Monroeville, Pa. and daughter Linda of Waverly. He is also survived by former daughter-in-law Carol Dimon of Middleport, N.Y. Surviving grandchildren are Bryan Dimon of Middleport, N.Y., Lora (Scott) Schramm of Middleport, N.Y., Justin (Leah) Peters of Athens, Pa., Shawna (Thomas) Joos of Pittsburgh, Pa., and Lindsay (Joshua) Miller of Cranberry Twp., Pa. Doc was also blessed with six great-grandchildren, Eltranaea, Xavrianna, Charles, Cade, Delaney, and Kiersten. A very special friend and companion, Sharon Schultz, brought much care and joy to Allan and his family.

A time of calling will be held on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Blauvelt Funeral Home, 625 Broad St., Waverly.