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Governor John P. de Jongh, Jr. offered his condolences to the family, loved ones and employees of businessman and philanthropist John Anderson, who died on Friday at the age of 93.
"I had the pleasure of having met Mr. Anderson while I worked at Chase Manhattan Bank and his entrepreneurial skills were clearly exhibited in so many companies that dominated their industries while employing and providing opportunities to many Virgin Islanders. He has been a very silent force in our economy, much more than people realize," de Jongh said over the weekend.
Anderson, a legendary attorney, business owner and philanthropist was the founder and president of Topa Equities Ltd, whose 33 subsidiaries include holdings in insurance, real estate, financial services, wholesale beverage distribution, automobile dealerships and manufacturing. For the past three decades, Anderson operated several businesses in the Virgin Islands in the areas of wholesale beverage distribution, real estate and insurance.
In 1980, Anderson, a prominent Los Angeles attorney, came to the Virgin Islands to assist his friends Henry Kimelman and Elliot Fishman close a transaction involving the sale of West Indies Corporation. When the deal for the beverage distribution company fell through, Anderson decided to buy West Indies on his own, starting a three-decade business and charitable relationship with the territory. Companies owned by Topa include West Indies Corporation, Bellows International, Dorchester Insurance and Topa Properties.
“John Anderson quietly contributed to so many Virgin Islands charities over the years. Without ever seeking personal attention, he generously gave to a number of community organizations that helped thousands of Virgin Islanders—everything from providing scholarships for teachers to enhance the learning of their students to funding Carnival activities,” de Jongh said.
“Mr. Anderson’s contributions to our territory's economy were only trumped by his extremely generous donations to so many worthwhile causes over the years. He was an inspiring individual and I hope that his achievements will serve to inspire many of young people on what they can achieve with the foundation of a good education and the desire to succeed,” de Jongh said.
De Jongh and First Lady Cecile offered their best wishes at this difficult time to Anderson's wife of 44 years, his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
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