Sophia Hronis, who founded Hronis Inc. with her late husband Jim Hronis, has died.
She died April 19 at the age of 90.
After graduating from Pasadena (Calif.) City College and the University of Southern California, she worked for General Motors GMAC as head bookkeeper.
She married Jim Hronis in 1951, according to a statement from the company.
The grew a farming operation from the early 1950s to mid-1970s, and in 1976 they started direct marketing their table grapes under the Golden Greek label. The company specializes in grapes and citrus.
Sophia Hronis formed the company’s sales operation and led the department, according to Hronis Inc., and undertook a massive marketing campaign that included international markets. The brand became well-known and Hronis earned respect from sells and buyers, according to the company.
“You won’t find anyone in the industry that didn’t think the world of her,” Pete Hronis, senior vice president of sales and marketing, who began working with his mother as a salesman in 1980, said in the statement.
She retired in 2011.
Jim and Sophia created a successful foundation whose leadership has passed on to their sons Kosta and Pete.
Survivors include daughters Tina (John Beneventi) Nova, and Tonya (Rick) Antle, and sons Kosta (Stephanie) Hronis, and Pete (Laurie) Hronis.
