OBITUARY: Michael J. Metrinko, first Ukrainian American member of Stock Exchange (02/02/03)

OBITUARY: Michael J. Metrinko, first Ukrainian American member of Stock Exchange

NEW YORK - The three American flags which adorn the facade of the New York Stock Exchange on Wall Street flew at half staff on Monday, January 13, in honor of trader Michael J. Metrinko, 93, believed to be the oldest and longest serving member of the Exchange.

Mr. Metrinko died on Sunday, January 12, at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta after a brief illness. His funeral was held on January 17 at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church in Wilmington, Del.

Dick Grasso, NYSE chairman, told the media the day after his passing: "Mike was a beloved member of the exchange community and will be missed."

Michele Rollins, Mr. Metrinko's daughter, says the family learned from the Stock Exchange that Mr. Metrinko was the oldest member of the New York Stock Exchange.

The son of Ukrainian immigrants who settled in Olyphant, Pa., Mr. Metrinko attended Penn State University, moved to New York City in 1927 and attended City College of Finance at night while working as a runner at the Stock Exchange by day. His keen aptitude for the financial world brought a rapid ascent on the floor, and he became a member of the Exchange in 1961 - the first Ukrainian American to achieve that position.

Buying his seat for the brokerage house of Jones, Kreeger & Co., he connected the telephone lines from the brokerage branch houses in the District of Columbia, Virginia and Maryland directly to the floor of the Exchange, a first of its kind.

During his years at the Exchange, he was known to younger traders as "Uncle Mike" and "The Silver Fox," Ms. Rollins said.

In 1991, while affiliated with Merrill Lynch Specialists, Mr. Metrinko leased out his seat and moved to Greenville, Del. to be near his daughter and his four grandchildren. He continued to commute to Manhattan several times a week to participate in the action on the floor, until September 11, 2001. He was on his way to Manhattan that day when he saw the first plane hit the World Trade Center tower, according to Ms. Rollins, who marvels that her father saw two crashes - 1929 and 9/11.

Mr. Metrinko is survived by his wife of 62 years, Elizabeth (née Sedor) Metrinko; three daughters, Marsha Metrinko, Michele Rollins and Monica Metrinko; and four grandchildren, Michele, Monique, Michael and Marc Rollins.

Also surviving are his sister, Olga Metrinko, brothers Pat and Will Metrinko, and several nieces and nephews.

At the family's suggestion, donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, for Msgr. Martin Canavan's Ukrainian Project, c/o Father William Gore, 1600 Brinkle Ave., Wilmington, DE 19806.

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