Lionel Dennis Morin
April 30, 1951 to October 13, 2025
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Lionel Dennis Morin, commonly referred to as Dennie, Shiner or sometimes The Cobalt Kid.
On the evening of October 13, 2025, at the Dryden Regional Hospital in Dryden, Ontario, and at the age of 74, Dennie said goodbye to his family and left for his final season on his Trapline. Dennie was the first-born son to Phyllis Marion Morin (nee Evans), and Lionel Joseph Morin. He was born at Misericordia Hospital in Haileybury on April 30, 1951. Dennie was predeceased by his mother, father and two older sisters, Brenda and Patsy. He also had two younger brothers, Jack Morin (Pauline) and Gary Morin (Shannon), who still live in the Cobalt area.
In June of 1968 he met Joan MacMillan from New Liskeard. Dennie was visiting his friend, Mel Porter, who was working at the Railroad Station in Cobalt. As it happens, Dennie had his guitar with him and Mel asked Dennie to sing a song. He played “Life to Go” by Stonewall Jackson.
“It was so beautiful, and it came from that young dude with the guitar in his hands. He was amazing!”, Joan and Dennie hit it off and on November 29, 1969, decided to tie the knot.
Dennie and Joan had two children, Robert Dennis (Bob) Morin (Stephanie LaFleur), and Gennifer Zella (Gen) Walker (Dean). He was a good grandfather, or as the family called him, “Papa”. He tried his best to do anything he could for his four grandchildren; Joshua Larochelle (Grace), Breanna and Braeden Morin, and Cassidy Pelletier (Damien) and six great-grandchildren, Daniel, Kaia,
Jessa, Lucas, Lilliana, Landon and a little boy who is currently on his way. We know that Dennie will be there to help Jack find his way safely into his mommy’s arms.
Dennie passed his talents on to his son, Bob and grandson, Braeden, who both play guitar and sing. As well as, his daughter and granddaughter, Gen and Cassidy, who also love to sing and occasionally play the guitar. These talents were also passed on to Dennie’s Great-grandchildren, Lucas who sings and plays the Mandolin, Kaia (just learning the mandolin) and Jessa who enjoys singing as well.
Dennie was an active kid, but not too interested in school. He dropped out before graduation and lied about his age to get a job on the railroad when he was only seventeen (17). Something unheard of these days! Later he quit the railroad and got a job at Sherman Mine in Temagami. The next move was to White River, Ontario where he began as Purchasing Agent for Domtar Forest Products. Unfortunately, it was not hands-on enough…too much paperwork. He was more interested in the Sawmill process, so he requested a transfer into the Sawmill Labor Pool. Beginning on the ground floor, he worked his way up to Shift Supervisor, Sawmill Superintendent and eventually Sawmill Manager, under the tutelage of Mel Jones who was the General Manager of Domtar Forest Products, White River Division. When the Domtar mill closed its doors, White River Forest Products reopened the doors a few years later and it wasn’t long until Dennie was back in the sawmill business.
Dennie loved people and could spend hours talking to them, no matter the subject. It could be about work, trapping, school or the weather. He was a Social Butterfly when it came to family, friends, nieces and nephews, and enjoyed every minute possible. He bought a trapline from Mike Mathieu and spent many hours with our son Bob, in the fall trapping, being in the bush teaching and learning signs of the animals. They took great care to appreciate and be respectful of each animal they caught.
He will be missed by many and loved by all.
Per his wishes, Cremation has taken place at the Dryden Funeral Home in Dryden.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to help the Oncology Unit at Dryden Regional Health Centre (P.O. Box 3003, 58 Goodall Street. Dryden, Ontario, Canada, P8N 2Z6) OR Thunder Bay Regional Health & Science Centre (https://www.healthsciencesfoundation.ca/memorial)
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