FALMOUTH — John Phillip Broida, 63, died Sept. 6 from pancreatic cancer, surrounded by his family.

He was born in Washington, D.C., in 1952, to Herbert Phillip Broida and Ina Burnes Broida. After living in Bethesda, Maryland, the family moved to Santa Barbara, California, where John attended junior and senior high school. He considered Boulder, Colorado, his hometown, where the Broidas spent every summer.

Broida earned a bachelor of science degree in psychology from the University of Colorado, where he was a member of the marching band. He went on to receive a master’s degree in psychology from Western Illinois University and a doctorate in psychobiology from The State University of New York at Albany.

He joined the faculty of the University of Southern Maine in 1985. During his tenure, he received a grant from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. After winning a grant from the Pew Charitable Trusts to develop online psychology coursework at USM, he was named a Redesign Scholar of the Center for Academic Transformation. At the time of his death, he was in the process of creating an online introductory course featuring video from his lectures.

Broida represented USM on the Contract Negotiating Committee for the University of Maine System Faculty Union, and served as treasurer and steering committee member of the New England Psychological Association.

At USM, he was known for his advocacy of students and colleagues, his integrity and his humble, self-deprecating manner.

Broida married AnneMarie Catanzano in 1989 and the couple had a son, David Catanzano Broida, in 1991. The family resided in Portland and Falmouth, where John volunteered in his son’s classrooms and with Falmouth Youth Soccer. Broida also enjoyed climbing Colorado mountains, walking Pine Point Beach and Baxter Boulevard with his dogs, and spending time with family at Embden Pond.

Broida was predeceased by his mother and father.

He is survived by his wife and son; his sister, Allison Broida Kuehl, her husband, Greg, of Baker City, Oregon, and their children, Colin and Lindsey Kuehl; a sister-in-law, Carol Catanzano Tarbell, and her husband, Charles, of Spring Hill, Florida; many cousins and close friends.

A celebration of Broida’s life was held Sept. 12 at The Wishcamper Center of the University of Southern Maine.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine. 

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