Born in Belarus, the son of a miller, renowned Brooklyn baker Julius David Ratchick was a hero by circumstances and by character. While the pogroms raged across Eastern Europe and Russia, Julius, with his wife, Beatrice Levy Ratchick, escaped enslavement and likely death and found safety and opportunity in America. 

Give with a full heart and expect nothing in return was the rule by which Julius Ratchick lived his life. His wife’s cousin took him on at his bakery and opened a door for him, and Julius paid it forward. He gave with his whole heart to the men he worked with, his neighbors and customers and his family. He opened his home to many when they fled repression and possible death. 

One of his bakers, Victor Leibowitz, said of him,​“He taught me all about baking, to love what you do, run an ethical business and give back.” He used to say,​“The most important thing is to always tell the truth. You’ll never be hurt by telling the truth.” And he lived that truth.