Evangelos C. SembosEvangelos (Angelos) C. Sembos of Milford died unexpectedly on Friday, July 21, 2017. He was born on July 29, 1941 in Athens, Greece to Christos and Panagiota (nee Varnakiotis) Sembos, originally of Patras, Greece. An accomplished composer and pianist, he began his music career at the age of sixteen as a songwriter, releasing several hit albums in Greece in the mid to late 1960s. He established himself as a staff composer/arranger for major recording studios and labels. Working with popular lyricists of the day, like Lefteris Papadopoulos, Evangelos' recordings featured many notable Greek artists, including singer George Dalaras, who rose to fame and came to epitomize the golden age of Greek songwriting. He also composed music for theater, ballet and documentaries. Evangelos studied at the National Conservatory of Music in Athens. He moved to the US in 1972 during the Greek dictatorship and attended the Hartt College of Music at the University of Hartford. There he studied with composer Arnold Franchetti (a student of Richard Strauss) and Joseph Iadone (a student of Paul Hindemith). Based in New Haven and then Bridgeport, Evangelos performed Greek music throughout Connecticut and New York City, and owned and ran a recording studio. He taught countless music students in theory and a variety of instruments, many of whom affectionately called him "maestro." Later in life, he self-published educational books on music theory featuring new original compositions for students. Through the years, his hobbies included drawing and painting, book collecting, gardening, observing wildlife, and visits from his children and grandchildren. Evangelos is survived by his wife of 42 years, Karen Wanamaker Sembos, son Michael (Kelly) Jensen Sembos of New Haven, daughter Christina (Rui) Teixeira of Trumbull and grandchildren Jonathan and Christopher Teixeira; his brothers Konstantin Sembos of Rosendale, NY, Panagiotis (Brigitte) Sembos of Marburg, Germany; brothers-in-law Terry (Maryann), Chris (Sandra) and Brian (Anne) Wanamaker, and several cousins, nieces and nephews throughout the US and Europe. In accordance with Evangelos' wishes, all arrangements are private. His life will be remembered by those who loved him through his musical accomplishments and his unconditional love for his family.