1922-2010

Andy was one of the founding members of the HCA. Along with the other founders he was instrumental in the development of the Hellenic Cultural Museum. He was an active member/trustee of the HCA until his passing, serving terms as secretary and treasurer. He was very proud of his Greek/Cretan heritage and loved being a part of preserving it for future generations. He truly enjoyed sharing his knowledge of the museum exhibits during scheduled museum tours and the annual Greek Festival.

Andy was born in Helper, Utah on November 20, 1922, to Emanuel Katsanevas and Maria Venetakis Katsanevas. His father was killed in the Castle Gate mine explosion on March 8th, 1924 along with many other immigrants who worked the mine. He was only 16 months old. He moved to SLC with his family when he was six and went on to graduate from West High School, where he excelled in many sports. He attended Weber College for two years and then joined the Merchant Marines, serving in WWII.

He married Margaret Matson on October 25, 1947. They made their home in SLC, raising three children. They had been married for 62 years at the time of his death on April 10, 2010. He worked for Structural Steel and EIMCO Corporation for more than 30 years. Andy was a life-long member of the Greek Orthodox Church where he served on the Parish Council Board for several years in many capacities including treasurer and Parish Council President.

1923-2012

Born in Salt Lake City to Greek immigrant parents, Con, as he was affectionately known, was raised and nurtured in the vibrant Greek Orthodox community of the valley. He graduated from East High School and went on to the University of Utah where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and Masters of Science Degree in History. He taught history for 37 years in the Salt Lake City School District, with most of his career spent at West High School where he taught courses in US History. He was a natural educator with an impeccable memory.

Con was very involved with the Salt Lake Greek Orthodox Church community from 1947 until his death in 2012. His initial involvement was being the catalyst for the church’s first youth groups. He served as a member of several Parish Councils, including as President in 1982-83, and was on many other church related committees. He taught Sunday School for many years. His participation in, and love for, the Greek Orthodox community placed him in an ideal position to witness and record the unfolding history of the parish - thus being designated the church’s historian in 1988 – more than 40 years after he began retrieving, collecting and documenting significant community events. He had an uncanny knowledge of the histories of Greek families in Salt Lake, Greek-owned businesses and local church community history. He authored ‘100 Years of Faith and Fervor, A History of the Greek Orthodox Church Community of Greater Salt Lake City, UT 1905-2005’.

Con was named an Archon of the Greek Orthodox Church by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in 1995. In 1986, Con received the St. Paul Medal from Archbishop Iakovos for his service to the Greek Orthodox Community of Salt Lake City. He was also very active in educational and cultural endeavors beyond the confines of the Greek community serving as a board member of the Utah Humanities Council, the Oral History Institute of Utah and other organizations.

1922-2005

Steve was born in the coal mining camps of Castle Gate, Utah to Greek immigrant parents in 1922. Moving to Salt Lake City after the Castle Gate coal mine explosion in 1924, Steve’s widowed mother, with 5 young children, resisted the offer to go back to Greece because she knew her children’s future was in America. Graduating from West High school Steve joined the Merchant Marines during World War 2 from 1942 to 1948, sailing around the world. This sparked his curiosity for history and the preservation of culture. In 1952, he and his brothers founded Silver State Suppliers, still operating today. He married Kaliope Katsanevas in 1957, they had 3 sons Manoli, John & Ted. They were happily married and worked side by side until Steve’s passing in 2005.

He was proud of his Cretan heritage and a lifelong member of the Greek Orthodox Church. Steve’s friendship with esteemed historian Helen Z. Papanikolas led him to sharing some of his many photographs with her as she began some of her early work on preserving Greek history in Utah. This passion led him to become one of the founders of the HCA. Giving museum tours and identifying family members and their stories for museum guests was a true joy for Steve. He spent countless hours in the museum, giving tours, retelling stories and preserving the history of Greeks in Utah.

Church, locally and nationally, he served as: Vice President of the SLC Parish Council; Founder & President of the Hellenic Cultural Association/Museum/Library; President of the National Association of Hellenic Cultural Museums; and past President of the Society of Athanasios Diakos, one of the oldest ethnic Greek fraternal organizations in America.

1920 - 2013

Thano was born in Salt Lake City, the son of George and Penelope Castles. He graduated from West High School and after serving in World War II in England with the 34th Bomber Squadron, returned to Salt Lake to graduate from the University of Utah with a degree in business and accounting.

Thano was a longtime member of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, dedicating much of his time as a founding member of the Hellenic Cultural Association. Thano’s extensive knowledge of the local Greek community’s history, his donations of photos, artifacts, and records, along with his unflagging energy, helped to make the Association a wonderful repository of knowledge which will be appreciated for generations to come.

1922 - 2019

Chris graduated from West High School and from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. He was a graduate from the United States Infantry Officers Candidate School, Fort Benning, Georgia, December 1944. He proudly served with the US Army in Italy during World War II. He continued his military affiliation with the Army Reserves and the Utah National Guard Reserves, retiring with the rank of Major. Chris was one of the original founders of the highly acclaimed Utah National Guard Military Intelligence Linguist Company.

Active in the Greek Orthodox Church, locally and nationally, he served as: Vice President of the SLC Parish Council; Founder & President of the Hellenic Cultural Association/Museum/Library; President of the National Association of Hellenic Cultural Museums; and past President of the Society of Athanasios Diakos, one of the oldest ethnic Greek fraternal organizations in America.