Griffin T. Dalianis, PhD, 73, of Nashua, a well-known Psychotherapist, legislator and community volunteer, passed away Thursday afternoon, September 1, 2016, after a long period of declining health.
Born in Boston, Massachusetts on November 19, 1942, he was a son of the late George T. and Elizabeth A. (Frates) Dalianis. An Air Force veteran, Dr. Dalianis served with the 1st special Operations Group of the Strategic Air Command from 1961 until his honorable discharge in 1965. He furthered his education at Suffolk University in Boston where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in History and Psychology in 1971 and his Master’s degree of Education in counseling in 1972. He earned a certificate in Advanced Graduate Study in counseling from Northeastern University in 1975 and earned his Doctorate of Philosophy from California Western University in 1982.
Dr. Dalianis founded the Southern New Hampshire Family Counseling Associates, Inc. in 1975 and served as its Director and Psychotherapist until he retired in 1993. In the mid 1970’s, Dr. Dalianis was an instructor of Psychology at Rivier College of Graduate Studies, Nashua, NH; was coordinator of Special Programs and Guidance Counselor at the Blue Hill Regional Vocational School, Canton, MA.
Very active in the Nashua community, Dr. Dalianis was a member of the Nashua Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow of Nashua Rotary West; served on the Board of Directors of the Nashua Youth Council; and was a trustee of the Samuel A. Tamposi Scholarship Fund. He served on the Nashua Planning Board, Nashua Chamber of Commerce; Board of Overseers of Southern New Hampshire Medical Center in Nashua; Healthcare District Council Member; Nashua Boys Club, Board of Incorporators and the Hillsborough County Law Enforcement Association. Dr. Dalianis also served on the Board of Directors for the City of Nashua, Mayor’s Joint Veteran’s Memorial Walk Committee; the New Hampshire State Kidney Foundation; was Chairman of the Nashua, NH Sesquicentennial Committee and the Red Cross Heroes Award Committee.
Dr. Dalianis served as chairman of the Veterans Administration Committee on Rehabilitation; served as the Governor’s Representative of the National Guard Scholarship Fund; was a Military Aide to the New Hampshire Governor; served as chairman of the Nashua Airport Authority; was Commissioner of New Hampshire Human Rights Commission and was Deputy Chief of Staff to the National Commander of the Disabled American Veterans.
His military affiliations include: Vice Chairperson of the Veterans Memorial Walk committee; Nashua Joint Veterans Parade Committee; was the Commander of the Disabled American Veterans Post #7; served as Legislative Officer of the State of New Hampshire Disabled Veterans; was chairman of the State of New Hampshire Veterans Advisory Committee; and was the New Hampshire Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army.
He was honored for being a Military Aide to the New Hampshire Governor, Craig Benson; Order of the Dagger, Country of Georgia; Red Cross Military Hero of the Year 2005 and Veteran of the Year, 2006 by the Union Leader newspaper. The Dalianis House was named in his honor by Harbor Homes transitional housing for veterans. Dr. Dalianis had a weekly column “Ask the Commander” that was published in The Telegraph and across New Hampshire.
Members of his family include his beloved wife of 45 years, Supreme Court Chief Justice, Linda (Stewart) Dalianis; his children, Deborah A. Bischoff and her husband Quentin of Vacaville, CA, Cynthia E. Godfrey and her husband Mark of Oroville, CA, G. Matthew Dalianis and his fiancée Sarah Tone of Manchester, NH, Benjamin S. Dalianis of Nashua; and was predeceased by Sarah S. Dalianis who passed away on Sept. 1, 1979; two grandchildren, Allison Bischoff of St. Louis, MO and Mariah Willis of Los Angeles, CA; two brothers and their wives, George and Jean Dalianis of Pahrump, NV, who in 1996 donated a kidney to Griffin and gave him twenty years of health, and Richard A. and Rose Dalianis of Virginia Beach, VA; and predeceased by a third brother, Peter A. Dalianis; also nieces and nephews.
Calling hours will be held at the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua on Tuesday, September 6TH from 4 to 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Immaculate Conception Church, 216 East Dunstable Road, Nashua, Wednesday morning at 10 o’clock. Friends are invited to attend and will gather at the church. Donations may be made in his memory to Harbor Homes, 12 Amherst Street, Nashua, NH 03064 for the benefit of The Dalianis House. Arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE. (603) 882-0591. www.farwellfuneral.com
