Peter James Courniotes

Peter J. Courniotes 1931 ~ 2008 Springfield - Peter James Courniotes, 76, of Chicopee, died of cancer on Tuesday, June 10, 2008, at Baystate Medical Center, with his wife and daughter by his side.  Peter was born in Chicopee on August 2, 1931.  He was the son of the late James Harry and Chrysanthe (Gardikas) Courniotes. Peter was a lifelong resident of Chicopee, and loved the city and the home in which he was born and  raised his family.  Peter never said an unkind word about anyone and was devoted to  his family,  friends,  church, and to educating Chicopee youth during his 38-year career as a Chicopee High School business teacher.   Peter graduated from Chicopee High School in 1949, and received both a  Bachelor of Science and Masters of Business Administration  from American International College (AIC).  Peter was an active member of Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church and  served on the parish executive council for more than 30 years including 15 years as Treasurer and at the time of his death as President.  He proudly served our country in the United States Army during the Korean War.   Peter was also a member of the American Legion and the Massachusetts Teachers Association and other community organizations. He had an unconditional love for local sports which he shared with his entire family, and was able to see the Boston Red Sox win the World Series not once but twice in his lifetime. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by two sisters, Angelica Mihalakos and her late husband George P. Mihalakos, Helen Makris and her late husband Dr. Costa Makris,  and brother-in-law, Michael Kousoulos and sister-in-law Annette Courniotes. He is survived by his beloved wife of  37- years, Ismini (Kousoulos) Courniotes of Chicopee, one eternally grateful daughter, Chrysanthe Angelica Courniotes of Washington, D.C., one brother, Dr. Harry J. Courniotes of Monson, two sisters, Mrs. Margaret Stathatos and her husband Dr. Anthony P. Stathatos both of Holyoke, Mrs. Catherine M. Nicholas and her husband Nick Nicholas of Long Island who currently reside in Manhattan Beach, Calif. as well as loving nieces, nephews, cousins  and twelve godchildren.  The funeral will be held on Monday, June 16, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at the Tylunas Funeral Home, 159 Broadway, Chicopee, followed by a funeral service at 11:30 a.m. in Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 30 Grattan Street, in Chicopee. Rites of Committal will follow in Fairview Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to the calling hours on Sunday, June 15, 2008 from 3 p.m. - 8 p.m., at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in Peter's honor to Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, P.O. Box 112, Chicopee, MA 01021.