~ IN MEMORY ~
NCA/RC/NWA Capt. Randall James Dunne (Randy)
September 3, 1945 - April 8, 2026
Randy began flying with North Central Airlines 12-11-1972
and retired with Northwest Airlines in 2005 as a Captain. Randy is survived by his wife Diane, and by
his children and their families.
PCN memorial site
Traverse City Record-Eagle (MI)
https://obituaries.record-eagle.com/obituary/randall-dunne-1093802680
TRAVERSE CITY — Randall James Dunne, better known
as Randy, of Traverse City, Michigan, passed away on April 8, 2026. Randy was
born September 3, 1945, in Jersey City, NJ, the son of James Dunne Jr. and
Marie Haegen. The oldest of 4, he was a caregiver to his younger siblings,
James, David, and Kathleen. His childhood was in Waldwick, NJ, where he was
Captain of the football team at St. Luke's Catholic High School. He attended
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, and became a pilot,
fulfilling his aviation dream of flying for Trans-Michigan Airlines, North
Central Airlines, Republic Airlines, and Northwest Airlines. He retired in
2005, reaching the rank of 747 captain on international routes.
He raised 3 children (Jason, Jennifer, and
Jessica) on Old Mission Peninsula in Traverse City, and they were the center of
Randy's life. Through his work, he traveled the world and encouraged his family
to experience different places and pursue their dreams with courage and
determination. That spirit of bravery and curiosity lives on in his children,
many of whom have spent significant time living and traveling both within and
beyond the U.S.
He met his second wife, Diane Dunne, 25 years ago,
and together they divided their retirement years between Traverse City,
Michigan, and Estero, Florida. Randy was a classic big-fish storyteller who
loved talking to everyone, a trait that even got him in trouble with the nuns
at Catholic school. His boisterous laugh and jovial spirit won the admiration
of even his hospital staff until the very end. One of the last things he said
to a room full of staff was, "Laughter is so important. What's the point
of living if you cannot laugh?"
Randy's family was his life force, and his love
and loyalty to his family and friends were among his defining traits. Remaining
to cherish Randy's memory are his wife, Diane Dunne; his children, Jason and
Anarie Dunne, Jennifer and Booth Keeney, and Jessica and Jim Greilick;
grandchildren, Reilan and Adrien Dunne, Elowen and Maeve Keeney, and Mackensie
and Alice Greilick; and his sister, Kathleen (Dunne) and Al Graef. Randy will
be missed greatly, but his legacy will live on forever through our fond memories
and his many stories.
May he now rest in peace.


