Alexander Astrack

Alexander Astrack March 2, 1917 - April 18, 2011 Alexander Astrack, Founder and former Chairman of Astral Extracts, Ltd., Syosset, NY, a basic manufacturing supplier to the Flavor and Fragrance Industry, passed on April 18, 2011, surrounded by loving family and friends. Mr. Astrack was a decorated veteran having served in WWII under General Patton's Third Army, 28th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron. He was awarded the Bronze Star for Heroic Achievement in the Battle of Bastogne. He also fought courageously in the Battles of Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland and Ardennes. Mr. Astrack was a recognized expert in the Food Industry graduating from New York Institute of Dietetics. He began his career as Assistant Director of Research for Electronized Chemical Corporation, a company primarily engaged in the research of radiation and sterilization of foods. In this capacity he authored many articles related to the ionizing radiation sterilization of foods published in Fortune, Chemical and Engineering Reporter magazines. His accomplishments were noted in Who's Who in Science in 1947. After leaving Electronized Chemical Corporation, he founded the Alexander Astrack Company, which supplied ingredients to the flavor and fragrance industries. His many contributions to the industry ranged from extracting dried fruits to working with fruit juice concentrates. He was instrumental in introducing and marketing di-sodium Inosinate and di-sodium Guanylate as well as mono sodium glutamate made in Japan, and introduced natural fish extracts into the American Market. Alexander was recognized by the Japanese government for establishing Japanese ingredients in the US Flavor Industry. He was awarded the Industry of Finance Medal by Mr. Nozaki, Finance Minister of Japan in 1965. Mr. Astrack was President of the New York Institute of Food Technologists during 1967-68 and served on the Board of Directors of the local section from 1953 to 1975. He also served as counselor of the National Institute of Food Technologists from 1962 to 1977. He was an active member of numerous industry organizations including FEMA and IFEAT. During the 1960's Mr. Astrack expanded his company to supply essential oils, fruit juice concentrates and citrus concentrates and by-products. In the 1970's he again expanded the company to include coffee concentrates and special manufacturing ingredients. After the Alexander Astrack Company was sold, Astral Extracts was formed in the late '70's, becoming a primary source for basic manufacturing ingredients. Mr. Astrack remained active in the industry both domestically and internationally until the age of 90. He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Cynthia Astrack; his daughter and son-in-law, Kathie & Bill Longo of Tarrytown, NY; a sister, Frances McCann of Morristown, NJ; two nieces, Tina Grossmann DePaz of Ormond Beach, FL and Mary McCann of Minneapolis, MN; five nephews, Nicholas Conroy of New Smyrna Beach, FL, Scott Conroy of Jacksonville, FL, Dr. Oscar DePaz of Gainesville, FL, Peter McCormack of Kenvil, NJ, and Ted McCormack of Olympia, WA. He was devoted not only to his career, his family, and his friends, but to his country. He shall be missed by all who knew him.