Michel Berty, 78
Michel Berty, an international businessman and IT pioneer, died at home in Wainscott on Feb. 12 of pulmonary fibrosis. He was 78.
For more than 25 years, Mr. Berty was chief executive officer of Cap Gemini, one of the world’s largest IT consulting, outsourcing, and professional services companies, which he helped found. For promoting French culture and business in the United States after the formation of Cap Gemini America, he was been named a chevalier of the French Legion of Honor and an officer of the National Order of Merit. Recently, he had devoted himself to such charities as Surgeons of Hope, East End Disabilities Associates, and L’Arche, which supports and seeks to make known the gifts of people with intellectual disabilities. Mr. Berty helped raise money for L’Arche to purchase a building in Riverhead, and, according to Mr. Berty’s daughter Apolline Berty, plans are underway to purchase a second L’Arche home in East Hampton.
He was born in Marseille, France, on May 14, 1939, to Paul Berty and the former Marguerite Braunschveig, and grew up in Paris. He received a Ph.D. in physics and a master’s of business administration from the Sorbonne.
“He was a performer and an entertainer,” Apolline Berty said. “He loved food and wine, music and singing. He had a gorgeous voice. He loved life and he wanted people around him all the time.” He had recently begun writing a memoir, saying he was a charmer as a boy.
On Aug. 24, 1990, he was married to Marie-Eve Thery in Ranatuelle in the South of France. The couple settled in New York in 1994 and purchased a home in Wainscott soon after; it became their year-round residence in 2006.
In addition to his daughter Apolline Berty, who lives in Los Angeles, he is survived by his wife and three other children. They are Valerie Berty of Paris, Jean-Benoit Berty of London, and Aurore Berty of L’Arche in Riverhead. He also is survived by four grandchildren. His daughter Caroline Berty died before him.
A Mass will be celebrated on Sunday at 3 p.m. at Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Church in Bridgehampton. Mr. Berty’s family has suggested memorial contributions to L’Arche, P.O. Box 354, Riverhead 11901.