WALTER SAMUELS

SAMUELS--Walter Richard,

98. Passed away peacefully at home on February 26, 2017 in the presence of his devoted family. A resident of Manhattan, Mill Neck, Long Island and Paris, France, Walter was a graduate of the Wharton Business School of the University of Pennsylvania and held certificates from the university's Towne & Moore Schools of Engineering. Upon graduation he served his country working for Army Ordinance during World War II. Working alongside Joy, his loving wife of 67 years whom he would always introduce as his "real partner" in his business endeavors, Walter was actively involved in the development, ownership, operation and management of many millions of square feet of retail property in the United States and Puerto Rico for nearly 70 years, most recently as President of J & W Management Corp., a New York- based commercial real estate management company. He was also a General Partner of FW Associates, a partnership which owns numerous shopping centers and commercial properties and a founding member and former President, Director and General Partner of Realty Investors Development Corp., Realty Equities Limited Partnership and RD Management Corp., once listed as one of the largest non-enclosed shopping center managers in the United States. During his career he forged strong working ties with the Chief Executives of the most prominent national retailers and institutional lenders in the United States. Walter was proud of his considerable success but prouder still of his reputation among his peers as a gentleman whose word could always be trusted. He was an ardent supporter of a wide variety of numerous medical research and other charitable foundations, including the Lown Cardiovascular Group, 830 Boylston St., Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. Walter's sound counsel and advice were valued by the many friends and colleagues he amassed over a long and productive life. Walter will be remembered for his love of travel, his fondness for the latest technological gadgets and his unwavering optimism for the future. He is survived by his wife Joy, his daughter Wendy, his grandson Max, his nephew Raymond Evans and his brother-in-law Robert Richter (Francine). Visitation Tuesday 5:30-8:30pm at Frank E. Campbell "The Funeral Chapel," 81st Street and Madison Ave. Services Wednesday, March 1, 2017, 10am at Temple Emanu-El, 5th Ave. at 65th Street. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Lown Cardiovascular Group or the cancer research charity of your choice.