Daniel Dion: Brother of Celine Dion dead of cancer, days after her husband died

Canadian singer Celine Dion has lost a brother also to cancer, a family spokesman said Saturday.

Daniel Dion was 59.

His death comes two days after the death of Céline Dion’s husband and long-time manager, René Angélil, after a long battle with throat cancer.

Angélil’s funeral will be held Jan. 22 at the Catholic basilica in historic Old Montreal, the same church where the two were married in 1994..

“According to his final wishes, his funeral will be held at Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal, where 21 years ago, he chose to marry the one who will remain as the great love of his life, the artist for which he had the most respect, the woman who gave him light and happiness until his very last breath,” said the family statement.

Daniel Dion’s funeral will take place at St-Simon-et-Jude de Charlemagne church in Repentigny, Que.

The date has yet to be announced.

A celebration of Angelil’s life will follow on Feb. 3 in Las Vegas at Caesars Palace Colosseum, where Dion is now on an extended residency. Her performances there have been cancelled but she is scheduled to be back on Feb. 23.

Agencies/Canadajournal