Donald Thaddeus Bertrand

September 6, 1930 – January 3, 2026

Donald Thaddeus Bertrand, a native of New Orleans, Louisiana, was born on September 6th, 1930, and passed away peacefully on January 3rd, 2026, at the home of and under the loving care of his beloved daughter, Phyllis. He was 95 years old.

Don grew up in the French Quarter, working as a boy in his father’s store. He left school in the ninth grade because he did not fit the traditional mold and preferred to learn in his own way, but a limited formal education never limited his mind. He left home at age 16 to join the Merchant Marines and experienced some intense but always interesting world travels.

He was highly intelligent, self-taught, and a voracious reader with a lifelong fascination for finance and the stock market. Enterprising from a young age, he even purchased his first life insurance policy at just 13 years old—an early sign of the foresight and independence that defined his life.

In 1952, Don married the love of his life, Ethel, on August 23rd. Together they began a new chapter in the Los Angeles area, building a life through determination, creativity, and hard work. Arriving in California with little money, Don’s resourcefulness quickly showed. He befriended and worked for a mortgage broker who helped him purchase their first home. Don and Ethel lived in the back house and rented the primary residence, earning more than the mortgage payment. It was another early example of the practical ingenuity that guided his entrepreneurial spirit throughout his life.

They welcomed four daughters: Sheila Elizabeth (1954), Phyllis Marie (1956), Teri Ann (1958), and Donna Frances (1963). In keeping with his own mother’s godly influence, Don worked with Ethel to raise good, faithful children. Don attended Mass with the family every Sunday and taught his girls to pray the rosary.

Don, the family man, was at times also known for his love of a good ‘bet’, a fine Scotch, and a willingness to take risks. A passionate day-trader, he approached life with boldness and confidence. He was at times stubbornly independent, preferring to learn from his mistakes than follow someone’s advice, but once he put his mind to a task, his resolve was unshakable.

In retirement, Don enjoyed many of life’s simple pleasures – traveling, cooking, and gardening, and was always a natural storyteller. Known to his grandchildren as “the funny guy”, he could easily captivate those around him with a joke or a song. He loved all music, especially jazz, was a great dancer, and had a wonderful singing voice. Above all, Don loved his family and was deeply proud of them.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Armand and Cyrilla Bertrand, and his brother, Armand Jr. He is survived by his four daughters and two nieces, and their spouses:

Sheila and Chris Korte, Phyllis and Fernand McGinnis, Teri and John Rolon, and Donna and Michael Cervantes; Renee and Marlin Gusman, and Angie and Randy Richard.

He was the proud grandfather of 14 grandchildren (along with their spouses):

Katrina (Michael Sheridan) and Kyle Korte; Kenneth, Kristin (Michael Weldon), Tiffany, and Leah (Hans Briese) Cunningham; Rodney Rambo (Shannon) and Stephanie (Hamilton) Rolon; Michael, Daniel (Mary), Steven (Laurie), Jaxon, John, and Elijah Cervantes.

He was also blessed with 20 great-grandchildren:

Sophia, Connor, and Emilia (Sheridan), Daisy, Jazmine, and Grace (Weldon), Judd and Gibb (Rambo), Declan, Oliver, and Jude (Hamilton), Meyer (Cervantes), Sofia, Teresa, Ana, Catherine, Fulton, Dominic (Cervantes), Charlotte and Clara (Cervantes).

Don’s life was marked by courage, tenacity and curiosity, grace, faith and love. In his final days, he loved to embrace the hand of those who cared for him, look into their eyes with a tender smile and say, ‘thank you’.

Don leaves behind a legacy of resilience, laughter, and devotion to family that will continue through generations.