Many in our Greek American community have called John Onassis the last Rebeti, a title that points to a kind of Greek man you don’t often see anymore in North America. He carried himself with the quiet pride and old-world manner of a generation that shaped so much of who we are.
John was also distantly related to Aristotle Onassis, a detail people sometimes mentioned although it never defined him. What stood out when you met him was not the famous name but the way he lived, the way he talked about music, and the way he held on to the traditions he grew up with.
Cosmos Philly sat down with John to hear his story. He spoke about his life, his deep love for Rebetika, and the marriage to Betty that lasted 51 years. He talked about leaving Piraeus, coming to America in 1961, and building a life that stayed grounded in family, faith, and community.
As a young man in Greece, John met Aristotle Onassis during a family visit. He told him about his studies and expressed his hope of finding opportunities through him. Not long after, a letter arrived directing John to Olympic Airways, which opened the door to the early part of his career. When he later visited America to see his younger brother, who was studying at the University of Pennsylvania, his relatives encouraged him to stay.
It was through his family that he was introduced to Elizabeth “Betty” Anderson, a young woman whose warmth and steadiness matched his own. John and Betty were married at St. George Cathedral in Philadelphia and built a life centered on family, faith, and community. They later welcomed their daughter Fotini and eventually their grandson Yianni.
Music was always close to him. John loved Rebetika with the kind of devotion that comes from memories, family gatherings, and the voices that shaped a generation. He admired the great old singers, especially Stelios Kazantzidis, whom he had met in Nea Filadelfia when Kazantzidis was just beginning his career. Friends would tease him, calling him one of the last Rebetes, and he accepted it with a smile because he understood the truth behind it. Even when his eyesight faded later in life, he still enjoyed the old songs at home, singing along to the music that had traveled with him from Greece.
His faith anchored him. John was a longtime member of St. Demetrios in Upper Darby. He helped at the church door, served on the board, and chanted on Sundays. He had been chanting since childhood in Korydallos, first as an altar boy and then beside the chanters. Even when his vision no longer allowed him to serve as he once had, he remained connected to the parish and continued chanting whenever he could.
John also worked as an engraver after arriving in America, earning respect for both his skill and his character. He often spoke about the importance of kindness and treated people with the same steadiness he expected from himself.
John Onassis passed away on November 8, 2014, at the age of 84. His loss was felt throughout the St. Demetrios community. Betty, his partner through every chapter, carried on with the same devotion she had shown all her life. She entered eternal rest in June 2019, lovingly cared for by their daughter Tina and surrounded by the family she cherished.
Their story was built on tradition, faith, and the music that shaped them. It remains a lasting part of our community’s memory. For many, John will always be remembered as the last Rebeti, a man who lived with dignity, loved his people, and stayed true to the old songs that defined him.
This interview was supported by the Greek American Heritage Society of Philadelphia, which helped preserve John’s story for future generations.
Editor’s Note: This article has been updated with new and clarified biographical information.