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Greek-American Sept. 11 Hero John Kassimatis Dies at 73
A hero of Sept. 11 who survived the towers’ collapse spent the rest of his life serving both his community and his Church.
NEW YORK — John V. Kassimatis, a longtime Port Authority Police Department officer, respected member of the Greek Orthodox community, and survivor of the September 11 terrorist attacks, has died at the age of 73. Family members said he passed away following complications from treatment for a serious illness believed to be connected to toxic exposure at Ground Zero.
Over a decades-long career with the Port Authority Police Department of New York and New Jersey, Kassimatis rose to the rank of inspector. Beyond his law enforcement service, he was known throughout the Greek Orthodox community as an Archon Deputatos of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and a dedicated supporter of Church life. Friends, colleagues, and Church leaders remembered him as a man of deep faith, humility, and unwavering commitment to helping others.
Kassimatis became widely known for his actions on Sept. 11, 2001. After witnessing the attacks unfold, he joined rescue operations at the World Trade Center, helped evacuate civilians from the North Tower, survived the collapse of the buildings, and later rescued an unconscious woman despite his own injuries. He continued working throughout the day, assisting emergency-response efforts and helping establish a command center for ongoing rescue operations.
In the aftermath of the attacks, Kassimatis also played a key role in supporting the presence of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America at Ground Zero and assisted efforts to recover sacred items from the destroyed St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church.
Previously, the UOJ reported that a Juneteenth ecumenical prayer service was planned at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church.
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