Christo Peter Cokonis

Christo Peter Cokonis, 80, of Elm Street, North Attleboro, died on Sunday, May 15, 2011 at his residence surrounded by the love of his devoted family following a brief illness. He was the beloved husband of Audrey S. (Betts) Cokonis to whom he was married on November 4, 1953 at the First Baptist Church of North Attleboro. Born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island on August 3, 1930, he was a son of Greek immigrants, the late Peter C. and Nitsa (Kalangiolis) Cokonis. He was raised and educated in the City of Pawtucket, Rhode Island and lived in the Attleboros since his marriage in 1953. He and his wife resided in West Palm Beach, Florida for six years. He was a veteran of the United States Navy and proudly served from his enlistment on December 28, 1950 until his honorable discharge on October 29, 1954. Mr. Cokonis was the owner and operator of the former Minuteman Diner when it was located in North Attleboro from 1948 until the early 1960s when it was relocated to the City of Attleboro where he operated the restaurant until the 1970s. Mr. Cokonis then went to work for Willow Tree Farms in Attleboro where he worked as a cook until last December. While residing in Florida, he was the owner and operator with his brother-in-law of Murphys Deli in North Palm Beach. Mr. Cokonis was a lifelong member of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church in Pawtucket. He was a member of the former North Attleboro Kiwanis Club and served as volunteer head coach for the Pop Warner Football league in North Attleboro and served as a volunteer baseball coach. In addition to his wife of 57 years, he leaves five children: Debra Cokonis of Randolph; Peter Cokonis of Seekonk; Russell Cokonis of Pepperell; Chris Cokonis of Attleboro and David Cokonis of Nantucket and Brooklyn, New York; 11 grandchildren; four great grandchildren; a sister: Katherine Tina Karambelas of North Palm Beach, Florida and Pawtucket, Rhode Island and several nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends. He was the brother of the late Charles Cokonis. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend visitation with Veterans Honors on Wednesday, June 8, 2011 from 12:00 1:00 PM in the Memorial Chapel of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home the national historic Colonel Obed Robinson Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue (exit 5 off Route 95 N or S, top of exit take a right, mile on the left), Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. Family and friends are cordially invited to attend the funeral service with Veterans Honors on Wednesday, June 8, 2011 at 1:00 PM immediately following visitation in the Memorial Chapel of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home the national historic Colonel Obed Robinson Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue (exit 5 off Route 95 N or S, top of exit take a right, mile on the left), Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. Burial will be private. Please omit flowers. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Mr. Cokonis name may be made to the Dyer-Lake Charitable Foundation, Inc., a registered 501 (c) 3 organization, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, North Attleboro, MA 02760 to benefit the American Cancer Society. For additional information or to send the family a written expression of sympathy, please visit www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com . Arrangements are under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. (508) 695-0200.