AceShowbiz -

It's really a sad month for Celine Dion. The "Loved Me Back to Life" singer loses her brother Daniel Dion to cancer just two days after she lost her husband Rene Angelil to cancer too.

Daniel had an illness almost similar to Rene. Claudette Dion, one of the singer's sisters said a day ago that Daniel might only have a few days to live. "It's very painful. It's a matter of days or hours," Claudette told the Journal of Montreal. "It looks a lot like Rene, he had cancer of the throat, tongue and brain. Our family is very experienced." He was surrounded by family, including their 89-year-old mother when he was dying.

Daniel died in the early hours of Saturday, January 16 morning in the family's native Montreal. He was 59. His death was confirmed by the office of Celine's publicist, Francine Chaloult. Daniel is the eighth child of Therese and Adhemar Dion's 13 children. He is survived by his daughters Valerie and Marie-Michelle as well as his grandchildren Matis and Laurianne.

Daniel's obituary read, "His last days were in the wonderful care of the doctors and personnel at Maison Adhemar-Dion, a palliative care center in Terrebonne Quebec. For those wishing to send flowers, a donation to that organization would be very much appreciated. Taking in consideration the reserved character of their deceased brother, the family wishes respect and discretion from the media."

A tribute for Daniel will take place Saturday, January 23 at Salon Charles Rajotte in Repentigny. His funeral will be held St-Simon-et-Jude, in Charlemagne Quebec.