Obituary of Edward Sembor Sr

Edward C. Sembor, Sr. age 87, of West Haven, beloved husband of the late Lois Ann "MeiMei" Dalaski Sembor, entered eternal rest on January 9, 2014 at CT Hospice, Branford. Born in Middeltown, NJ, on September 27, 1926, he was the son of the late Adolf and Irene Czembor. Orphaned in childhood, Mr. Sembor was raised by his paternal uncle and his wife, Walter and Anna Chambers on their tobacco farm in South Deerfield, MA. His six first cousins became siblings and endeared him with the nickname "Sharkie". This moniker would follow him throughout his life. Immediately following his high school graduation, Mr. Sembor enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1943 at the age of 17. He took basic training at the Samson, New York Naval Training Center and earned the rating of Aviation Radioman, Third Class. He served in both the American and Pacific Theaters as a crewmember flying in PB2Y aircraft. Completing his Naval Service, he was named Commander of the Felix Wecrzyn Post Polish American Veterans of WWII and later joined the American Legion. Mr. Sembor attended the Butera School of Art of Boston, the Paier School of Art in Hamden and then earned his bachelor's degree from Empire State College, State University of New York. He was employed by Pitney Bowes, Inc. of Stamford for 42 years, finishing his career as Manager of Technical Publications. A longtime resident of West Haven, Mr. Sembor was an active member of his community. He served as an Assistant Cubmaster, at Pack 9 in West Haven. He coached youth basketball in the West Haven Allingtown Center League, winning the city championship in 1972. He served as Lecturing Knight in the West Haven Elks Lodge No. 1598. He was also a member of Toastmasters International and served as Chairman of the Parents Club at Fairfield University in 1978. Mr. Sembor was passionate about singing and was a longtime member of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Singing in America, where he spent many memorable hours at the New Haven Chapter, City of the Elms Chorus, with his friends and colleagues singing their favorite songs. He was an avid golfer who once shot a hole-in-one, and lifelong Red Sox fan. He leaves two children, Ilona Clark and her husband, Raymond of Orange, CT; and Edward C. Sembor, Jr., Ph.D. and his wife, Lynn of Thompson, CT; four cherished grandchildren, Wanda Picagli of Orange, Craig Clark of Orange, Kathryn Sembor of Providence, RI and Jacqueline Sembor of Broadbrook, CT; two great-grandchildren, Rianna Picagli and James Clark of Orange; as well as several nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial (MEETING DIRECTLY AT CHURCH) will be celebrated on Tuesday, January 14, 2014, at 9:00 AM in St. John Vianney Church, 300 Captain Thomas Blvd., West Haven. Military Honors will be accorded following Mass. Burial at sea will be conducted by the U.S. Navy. Family and friends may call on Monday, January 13, 2014 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM in the Wakelee Memorial Funeral Home, 167 Wakelee Avenue, Ansonia. Memorial contributions may be made to CT Hospice, 100 Double Beach Rd., Branford, CT, 06405 or www.hospice.com. Online condolences may be made at www.wakeleememorial.com.