Obituary: hotelier turned real estate agent Paul Bartrop dies aged 62

Hotelier turned real estate agent Paul Bartrop has died at the age of 62, following a battle with the neurological disease Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP).

Widely known to his friends, colleagues and clients as Barty, Bartrop was regarded by those who worked with him as a "legend" and a man "to be trusted".

He was born on 29 March 1957 in Winchmore Hill, London, to nurseryman Jack and his wife Cynthia. His parents went into the hotel business and ran the Crown hotel in Faringdon, Oxfordshire, where Bartrop joined them for 10 years, before joining real estate agent Christie & Co in the restaurant department.

Bartrop later joined Robert Barry & Co (now Colliers International), specialising in hotels, before moving to Knight Frank and then CBRE. More recently he practised independently as Hotel Real Estate Brokers. During his career he was involved in many corporate and private transactions within the UK as well as the sale in Barbados of the Royal Palms hotel to Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

Former colleague and close friend John Sheppard said Bartrop was renowned for his "professionalism, good humour, sound character and overall decency".

Beyond work, Bartrop was a keen sailor who sailed competitively in the Fastnet and Round the Island races and won races at Cowes Week and Cork Week. He was also a knowledgeable gardener and ornithologist.

"Paul was struck down by PSP, a horrible disease for which there is no treatment, but he remained in good humour throughout and died peacefully supported by his wife Carol, family and friends," said Sheppard. "Typically, he did not want any fuss or memorial service in his memory."

Bartrop is survived by his wife Carol, sister Julie and mother Cynthia.