Large Turn-Out to Remember Sewall Glinternick

Sewall Glinternick, a long-time former manager of the El Cerrito Chamber of Commerce who died at age 85 on Aug. 25, was remembered by more than 100 people at a memorial lunch at the Hotel Mac in Point Richmond Sunday.

"He was the hardest working manager in chamber history," said John Stashik, immediate past president of the chamber.

Glinternick was "one of the best known and most recognized faces in our city," Stashik said in his Patch blog.

A native of Minneapolis, Glinternick served in World War II and attended the University of Minnesota, where he worked as editor-in-chief of the Minnesota Daily. He went on to have a long career as a journalist, as a reporter and editor for newspapers around the Bay Area.

Glinternick took over as manager of the El Cerrito Chamber of Commerce in 1996 and ran the chamber for 13 years.

More details of his life can be found in his Patch profile biography.

Having a luncheon in his memory was a fitting event since he always enjoyed having a good lunch, Stashik said.

"He had a good life," Stashik said. "He lived it to the fullest."

Glinternick is survived by his wife of 63 years, Reeva Glinternick, children Michael and Sonia, grandchildren Donna and Seth, and great-grandchildren Cole, Levi and Cora.

"Sewall was an active member of the Lion's Club, and an intelligent, spirited and kind-hearted man," said the printed program at the memorial luncheon. "He was a dedicated journalist; in his retirement, he continued to investigate, write about and debate issues important to him."