We regret to announce that on May 23, 2019, Precinct Board Member and dear friend, Bertrand Collomb, passed away at the age of 76 years.
Bertrand was a kind, generous, and thoughtful leader. In addition to his magnificent career in business, he devoted himself to social progress. From the outset he understood and appreciated the Precinct’s mission of training and supporting collaborative and inspired young leaders. In addition to his five years on the Precinct board, Bertrand spent decades working for and leading the Lafarge Group. At various times he also chaired the French Institute of International Relations, the Institute of Advanced Studies for Science and Technology, and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development.
Precinct Board member Francois Baird, who attended his standing-room-only mass in Paris at the Cathedral Saint-Louis des Invalides on June 12th, stated:
“Bertrand was undoubtedly a world-class industrialist and global leader, but what was most evident at the cathedral, was the deep personal esteem and affection for Bertrand from his family, his friends and his colleagues. They came from all over the world to pay their respects and salute his life. Perhaps no-one demonstrated his standing as much as President Macron in a statement issued by his office, in which the French President described Bertrand as “a citizen committed to the challenges of his time”. Personally, my wife Greta and I will never forget the friendship and hospitality extended to us by Bertrand and Caroline.”
Precinct Founder, Jim Murray added:
“We had the great good fortune to meet Bertrand just as the Presidential Precinct was being founded. He enthusiastically embraced our work and gave selflessly of his time whenever he could attend a program and encourage the young global leaders he met there. He was an inspiration to dozens of our visitors, leaving them with a shining example of capitalist success tempered by empathy and charity.”
We at the Precinct, inspired by his actions and life, are further motivated to push forward his vision for a world at peace and based in justice. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Caroline, children, Cedric, Alexis, Alexandra, and Stephanie, and grandchildren, Yse, Nine, Arthur, Gabriel, and Leonor.
Here find French President Emmanuel Macron’s statement on Bertrand Collomb’s passing.
