Aristotle Sentementes
Aristotle (Harry) Sentementes, 97, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, September 2, 2021 after a brief illness. He was born in Athens, Greece to Nicholas and Maria (Giannoglou) Sentementes and raised in the city of Kalamata. As a boy, he learned many trades that benefited him throughout his life. He also witnessed the atrocities and food shortages during several wars in Greece. At age 16, his father, a war hero whom he idolized, died, leaving Aristotle responsible for the care and sustenance of his mother and three younger siblings.
Aristotle arrived in the U.S. in 1947 to begin a successful career in manufacturing, including at Yale & Towne, Consolidated Diesel Corp. (ConDec) and Fermont. Aristotle was committed to seeing that only the best and safest products were produced for the U.S. military. At ConDec, he rose to the position of production supervisor, managing a team of 52. In the 1960s, he was sent to Vietnam twice to train troops on the use of the amphibian vehicle, the LARC.
Aristotle wed his beloved wife, Penelope Poulos, in 1949. Their social life was focused on their Greek heritage and Greek Orthodox faith. Aristotle produced shows at the Church of the Archangels. He was an active member of the church’s Seniors Group and served as an officer in the AHEPA (American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association). He loved making the loukoumathes (honey balls) at the Archangels Greek Festivals. Penelope and Aristotle enjoyed Caribbean cruises (even a memorable Alaskan cruise with their children and grandchildren), UConn Women’s Basketball and Greek soap operas. Aristotle loved a good conversation/debate, trading stocks and quoting statistics. He wanted to be remembered for his love of people – if anyone needed help, advice, or a hug, he was there.
Aristotle was the patriarch and center of his family’s universe. He is survived by his children: Alan (Debbie) Sentementes, Diane (Ted) Sierpina and Linda (Richard Lang) Sentementes; his grandchildren, Steven Sentementes, Daniel (Despina) Sentementes, Jodi (AJ Salvioli) Sentementes, Shannon Sierpina, Nicole (Tom) Landry, Amy (Thomas) Deverson and Caitlin (Nolan Lafler) Weinstock, and his seven treasured great-grandsons, Brady and Hunter Landry, Aristotelis and Nikolaos Sentementes, George and Henry (Harry) Lafler and Liam Salvioli. He is also survived by his two brothers, Andrew (Pamela) Sentementes and Pericles (Erika) Sentementes; many nieces and nephews, including his niece Mary (Bill) Janocha; his godson, James (Kirsten) Bitzonis and his close friends/koumbari Lee Bitzonis and Ann Ventsias. He was predeceased by his parents, his wife Penelope and his sister, Artemis Papagelis.
The family would like to thank Aristotle’s doctors, particularly, Dr. Antonios Katsigiannis and Dr. William Hines, and the staff at The Residence on Summer Street for their compassionate care.
Family and friends may call at the Church of the Archangels, 1527 Bedford Street, Stamford on Friday, September 3, 2021 from 6:008:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 4, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Fairfield Memorial Park, Oaklawn Avenue, Stamford.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Aristotle’s memory to AmeriCares, Pacific House Men’s Shelter in Stamford or the Ladies Philoptochos Society of the Archangels Church.
To leave online condolences, please visit www. cognetta.com