Bertram Shaftel

Throughout his long life, Bert was cherished by many family and friends for the love and humor he consistently offered them.

Bert was born to Eastern European Jewish immigrants Morris and Edith (Goldaber) Shaftel and grew up on Maple Avenue in Brooklyn, NY. His teenage years mostly revolved around football where he played offensive and defensive line for the Tilden Blue and Gray.

At 18, he was drafted in the United States Army to serve the country he loved.

Shortly after being drafted, while taking a class at Kings College, he met fellow student Florette Kirsch. The two quickly fell in love. Bert wrote Florette letters while he was away in the military, promising her an amazing future together when he returned.

In 1948, Bert and Florette married and soon after had two children, Michael and Joni.

Bert and Florette were married for 60 years, until her passing in 2008. Their relationship was one of deep love and friendship.

After the Army, Bert briefly followed his passion for photography, becoming a press photographer working with large outlets like the New York Times. Ultimately, his photography career was short lived, exchanged for what would become a successful career in the gas and car rental industries.

During the 60’s and 70’s Bert owned one of Brooklyn’s busiest gas stations on the corner of East New York Avenue and East 98th Street. He also owned several franchises of National Car Rental.

In the 90’s, he founded Arrow Rents and became a top supplier of cars to New York-based law enforcement agencies such as the ATF, DEA and NYPD. Bert took enormous pride in the part he directly played making New York City a safer place.

Throughout Bert’s entrepreneurial career he never lost sight of his ultimate priority - His family. He was an active grandparent in all of his 6 grandchildren's lives. “Poppi” as they called him, took “the kids” up and down the East Coast on road trips and to New York City often. Car shows, Broadway plays, baseball games, the circus were just some of the events he took them to.

As he grew older, his family grew with him. “The kids” spread throughout the country, but his presence in their lives never faded. Poppi formed a special bond with his 7 great grandchildren who would quickly come to admire him the same way so many others did throughout his long life.

Bert is survived by his two children: Michael of Interlaken, NJ, and daughter Joni (Arnie) of Boynton Beach, Florida.

He also leaves behind his 6 Grandchildren: Robbie (Lauren) of Fair Haven, NJ, Melyssa (Alan) of Boynton Beach, FL, Rachel of West Del Ray Beach, FL, Jennifer (Jeff) of Hillsdale, NJ, Lexi of Boston, MA and Morgan of West Long Branch, NJ.

Bert was also blessed to know and adore his 7 great grandchildren: Kayla, Jacob, Ryan, Farrah, Dylan, Paige & Evan.

Bert was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years Florette, his parents Morris and Edith and his younger sister Eileen.

A memorial service will be held Monday July 14th 9AM at Bloomfield-Cooper Jewish Chapel Ocean New Jersey.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Bert’s charity of choice, the Wounded Warrior Foundation.

He was larger than life in many ways, and his impact will live on forever through those he loved.