John C. Coniaris, M.D., 85, who was born and raised in Milford, died Tues., Feb. 22, at Wingate Manor in Needham from complications related to Parkinson's disease.
He was born and raised in Milford, the fifth of 10 children born to Charles and Pangiota Coniaris. He graduated from Milford High School and then served in World War II in the Army Signal Corps, stationed in the Philippines and New Guinea. After earning his undergraduate degree from Boston University, he graduated from Boston University School of Medicine and interned at Boston City Hospital.
Dr. Coniaris began his medical career when he opened a general practice in Hopedale. He later became the Director of the Framingham Youth Guidance Center. In 1977, he founded Framingham Psychiatric Counseling Associates, which he directed for 27 years until his retirement in 2004. He pioneered the education of teacher and school administrators in child psychology. He was also past president of the New England Council of Child Psychiatry. He was a skier until age 77 and enjoyed travel.
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He leaves his life partner, Barbara Broadbent of Needham; his five children, Jeffrey of Boston and his wife Mary-Ellen, John of Bloomington, Ind., and his wife Mary, Thomas of East Sandwich and his wife Alla, Nicholas of San Diego, Calif., and Kristen of San Diego; three grandchildren, Catherine, Lucas, and Alexander; his sisters, Athene Grabow of Sun Valley, Idaho, Jeanne Rosenblatt of Worcester, Anna Comolli of Gloucester and Dorothy Peacor of Ann Arbor, Mich.; his brother, Charles of New York City; his cousins, William of Bellingham and Stamy of Bellingham; many nieces and nephews; two former wives, the late, Betty Anne Berry of Milford and Nancy Blackmun of Framingham. He was predeceased by his sisters, Helen and Mary, and brothers, Nicholas and William.
A memorial service and lunch will be held Sun., March 6, at 11 a.m. at the , 119 Prospect Height. All are welcome and no R.S.V.P. is necessary. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the American Parkinson’s Disease Association (800-223-2732) or the Needham Council on Aging (781-455-7555). Arrangements are under the direction of the , 46 Water St.
