French, Bertram July 21, 1927 - September 4, 2022

Bertram Francis French died peacefully at his home in Palm Beach, surrounded by his loving family, on September 4, 2022, at age 95.  Born in Manhattan on July 21, 1927, to Charles and Edith Kelley French, he grew up in Bayridge, Brooklyn with his sisters Helen and Muriel French.  He attended Hamilton High School and New York University. 

The red apple lapel pin he always wore spoke of his love for New York.  He knew his city so well and could find a parking place or navigate alternate street parking like only a born and bred New Yorker can.  He was known to say that if you want to be struck by lightning, you go where lightning strikes, and for him, Manhattan was where his “lightning struck,”making his dreams come true.

Bert had a vision for his life and was the first to admit that equal parts hard work and luck factored into his many successes.  He enjoyed a remarkable, 67 year career in commercial real estate with Cushman & Wakefield, where he was Vice Chair, and the head of the downtown office.  He was part of the management structure of the firm from the early days of the company and was key to building it into a national and now international force. As a broker, he represented a long list of some of New York’s most prestigious tenants such as American Express, New York Telephone Co., and Dean Witter.

He was involved in some of Manhattan’s most significant office leases and building sales, including the New York Telephone Company’s lease for the entire 1.3 million-square-foot building at 1095 Avenue of the Americas; the development of a 1-million-square-foot office building for Continental Insurance Corporation’s headquarters at 180 Maiden Lane; and the land acquisition and leasing of the 1-million-square-foot One Seaport Plaza.

The pinnacle of his career was when he represented Dean Witter in a 1-million-square-foot, 20-year lease at 2 World Trade Center.  This transaction enabled Dean Witter to consolidate its offices, which had been scattered throughout the Wall Street area. The leasing of 24 floors in the World Trade Center made Dean Witter the major tenant. 

Bert was recognized for his work through several industry awards, including the 2001 Louis Smadbeck Memorial Broker Recognition Award, which honors a brokerage professional whose career distinctions include personal and professional integrity, long-term leadership, and prominence in the brokerage community.

He served as chair of the Real Estate Board of New York and the Young Men’s/Women’s Real Estate Association.  He served on the board of the East River Savings Bank. In 2000, he was awarded the Keystone Award from the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies (FPWA), which recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the health and well being of New Yorkers from diverse faiths and walks of life and the Man of the Year Award from Talbot Perkins Children’s Services.

The beauty of Bert’s life was that his success was not limited to his career. According to him, his greatest accomplishment was marrying the love of his life, Carole French, neé Miller.  During their 50 year marriage they devoted themselves to raising their two children.

Friends remember Bert as a cheerful, generous, friendly, and elegant man.  He led a life of integrity, was a good friend, and took pride in surrounding himself with those he admired. He will be deeply missed.

He is survived by his wife Carole French, of New York and Palm Beach, his son Bertram French, Jr, of Portland, OR, daughter-in-law Lisa French, and grand-daughter Olivia French, and his daughter, Margaux French, of Stratham, NH, daughter-in-law Lynne Hegner, granddaughter Chloe Hegner-French, and grandson Quinn Hegner-French.

A graveside service will be held for family on September 10, 2022 at Woodlawn cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Federation for Protestant Welfare Association (https://www.fpwa.org/about-us/).