Dennis D. Spyros
July 4, 1941 - September 28, 1997

    On Sunday, September 28, 1997 our Eastern Federation President, Dennis Spyros passed into the hands of our Lord. Dennis was a very accomplished church musician for most of his life. He began at the age of 11 as organist for St. Demetrios in Jersey City. He served there for 11 years before being appointed organist at St. Athanasios in Paterson. After only two years, he became organist/director and served in that capacity for the next 23 years. In 1989 he left Paramus to become Director of Music at the New Jersey Diocesan Cathedral of St. John the Theologian in Tenafly.
    Through the years, Dennis coordinated and conducted many concerts and programs. He was the music coordinator of the Grecian Hits Festival at the Garden State Arts Center in 1974, conductor of the Pan-Orthodox Celebration at the Cathedral of St. John the Theologian in 1984, conductor and coordinator of the 25th Anniversary Celebration Concert of the Elevation of his Excellency Metropolitan Silas to the episcopacy at the Cathedral of St. John the Theologian in Tenafly in 1985, conductor of the combined chorus and orchestra for the “Christmas at the Cathedral” concert series in Tenafly from 1990 through 1996, conductor of the combined chorus for the “Lenten Musical Offering” concert series from 1991 through 1997, and conductor of the combine chorus for the Holy Cross Celebration in Asbury Park for 13 years.
    Dennis was the founder of the New Jersey District of the Eastern Federation. He was appointed the first District Supervisor by Metropolitan Silas and served in that capacity for seven years. He founded several district workshops and taught conducting, elements of music and organ sections. He was elected to three consecutive terms as our federation president in 1992, 1994 and 1996. At the 1997 Holy Cross Celebration, Dennis received the federation’s award for outstanding achievement: the Patriarch Athenagoras I Federation Distinguished Service Award.
Dennis was a life member of the National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians. He  served on many committees and wrote several articles for the MUSICA publication. He had the honor in 1992 to conduct the Ecumenical Doxology of the Biennial Clergy Laity Congress in New Orleans, LA.
    Dennis received his formal music education from the Juilliard School of Music in New York City earning his Masters Degree in conducting. He also attended Stevens Institute of technology in Hoboken. By trade, Dennis was an electrician and recently became the Construction Electrical and Building Sub-code Official for the Township of Irvington.
    It is plain to see that our beloved Dennis was a very busy man, touched many people and will certainly be missed.
    May his memory be eternal!

Susan Karcanes
District Supervisor, New Jersey / Staten Island