Sign up for Weekday J and get the latest on what's happening in the Jewish Bay Area.

Myron Sosnick, a pioneering force behind kosher food distribution in Northern California died in a Brooklyn, N.Y., hospital Nov. 29. He was 74.

He was known for his longtime role as president of J. Sosnick & Son, the South San Francisco company that was the sole kosher distributor in Northern California for most of the 20th century. The oldest third-generation Sosnick in the family business, he was "practically born into [Sosnick & Sons]," said his brother Robert Sosnick. The company was founded in 1906.

"He was the guiding role model for my brother Martin and me, and for the fourth generation of Sosnicks: Jeffrey, Wayne and Larry."

Myron Sosnick was born in Oakland but lived the greater part of his life in San Francisco. An Orthodox Jew and charter member of Adath Israel, an Orthodox synagogue in San Francisco, Sosnick was the primary impetus behind his company's decision to bring kosher foods to supermarkets in the 1950s.

"When he first started, the kosher division was nil, really nothing," said Robert Sosnick. A successful salesman, "He was very instrumental in getting it into the markets and increasing the volume we sold here."

As president, Myron Sosnick remained dedicated to Sosnick & Son, even after the sale of the business' kosher distribution division in September. The Sosnick kosher product line was unaffected by the sale.

Describing his brother as an "empathetic and very down-to-earth" guy who "didn't pull any punches," Robert Sosnick emphasized his strong work ethic.

"He was from the old school," he said. "He was undergoing dialysis for at least five or six years [for renal failure], but he nevertheless made a point to come to work and remain active in the business on a regular basis.

"He always fought to the end," Robert Sosnick added. "He was very brave."

Myron Sosnick's son, Marc, agreed, calling his father "an extremely dedicated family member" and "a fighter — fighting his long illness with the help of my mother."

He also said his father, who received two B'nai B'rith Akiva awards and was also a B'nai B'rith past president, was "very proud to be Jewish."

"He was very concerned about education, especially Jewish education," Marc Sosnick said.

"In my father's case, the facts speak for themselves," he added, referring to Sosnick's Akiva awards as well as his 35-year marriage to wife Marcia and his leading role in the family business. "I have many memories of him, but I'd rather leave them out. This isn't about my memories, it's about him."

In addition to his wife, son and two brothers, Sosnick is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Orthodox services were held at Sinai Memorial Chapel on Dec. 3.

Donations may be made to AMIT, 2232 Judah St., S.F., CA 94122; San Francisco Hillel Foundation, 33 Banbury Drive, S.F., CA 94132-2645; or a charity of choice.