Cathedral Honors Catsimatidis Couple
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York presented John and Margo Catsimatidis, long-time members of Leadership 100, with the 25th Holy Trinity Award at the 74th Annual Cathedral Gala on June 7. Noted for their business and charitable leadership, John and Margo, received commendations of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, former U.S. President Bill Clinton, U.S. Representative Carolyn B. Maloney of New York, U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe of Maine, Governor Edward G. Rendell of Pennsylvania and many other notables and organizations.
His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios said of the couple, “I commend them for their bountiful offering to the Church and the broader community. Their actions provide a rich manifestation of the Gospel message.” Stephen G. Yeonas, Chairman of Leadership 100, said, “John and Margo are without comparison in the examples they have set for us all in their business pursuits, their outstanding philanthropy, their citizenship, as well in their devotion to our most cherished Orthodox and Hellenic ideals of faith, commitment, family and the pursuit of excellence.”
John Catsimatidis is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Red Apple Group which has holdings in oil refining, retail petroleum products, convenience stores, supermarkets, real estate and aviation. He grew up in New York, studying engineering at the Bronx campus of New York University. His charitable interests include New York’s Police Athletic League (PAL), Juvenile Diabetes, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s’ research foundations, Outward Bound, the Appeal for Conscience Foundation and, primarily, the Hellenic Times Scholarship Fund, of which he is a Founder. His philanthropy in support of the Greek Orthodox Church is legendary, having served on the Executive Committees of the Archdiocesan Council and Leadership 100. He is an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
Margo Vondersaar Catisimatidis, who originally came to New York City from Indiana to dance with the legendary Bolshoi Ballet, met John in 1973 as the first secretary of Red Apple Supermarkets. After their marriage, she helped guide the company to its phenomenal growth before starting her own company, MCV Advertising Associates, which grew into one of the premier print advertising companies in New York. She also headed a wide variety of civic and charitable organizations and is the co-publisher of the Hellenic Times newspaper with John. A member of the Greek Orthodox Church, Margo worked with John to establish the Archbishop Iakovos Home for the elderly and is the driving force behind the Hellenic Times Scholarship Fund. She also is Chairman of the annual Russian Heritage Foundation dinner in St. Petersburg, Florida and serves as a board member of the Tolstoy Foundation. She serves on the boards of the Alzheimer’s Foundation and Parkinson’s Disease Foundation and is a patron of the National Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. John and Margo have one daughter, Andrea, 19, a student at New York University Stern School of Business and a son, John Jr., 16 who attends Loyola School in New York City.
