Obituary of EMMANUEL CALIZAIRE

Emmanuel Calizaire was born on November 9, 1929 to Phadael Calizaire and Laurieda Marie Rose Bruny in his mother’s hometown of Tomasique, Haiti.  The family soon moved to Hinche, Phadael’s hometown.   Emmanuel was the oldest of four boys.  His brothers, Claude and Ulrick, were born two-years apart, followed by Paul four years later.  Emmanuel or “Manno” as he was affectionately called attended elementary school at l’ecole Presbyteriale.  He continued his education at Lycée Toussaint Louverture in Port-au-Prince then attended l’ecole Normale d’instituteurs.  Upon completing his education, he was employed as an elementary school teacher at Charlemagne Peralte Ecole Nationale de Garçons before being promoted to Principal.   

Emmanuel’s future bride, Fernande Garnier lived in the same small town of Hiche.  Long-time acquaintances, they sang in choir together and shared a private joke about a Christmas song that makes reference to Emmanuel.  He claimed the song was about him and Fernande found his corny humor endearing.  She tried to play matchmaker for Emmanuel and eligible local ladies, but, to her surprise, he soon set his sights on her.  After a two-year courtship, she agreed to accept his hand in marriage. 

A true polyglot, Emmanuel spoke Haitian Creole, French, and Spanish fluently and had begun teaching himself German, before turbulence and political upheaval motivated him to immigrate to the United States. Unfortunately, his many languages did not include English.  So, when he arrived in New York on Thanksgiving Eve in 1964, badly in need of work, he accepted a custodial job at Brooklyn Hospital. He quietly toiled at blue collar jobs until he attained a position as a train conductor with New York City Transit.  Emmanuel’s work ethic and determination created a secure, stable environment for his family.  He was the living embodiment of the American dream.  He and Fernande purchased their first home in 1978 then purchased the property next door three years later.  The former Principal turned transit worker became a homeowner and landlord of three units. 

Emmanuel retired from the New York City Transit in 1995 and enjoyed 25 years of well-earned retirement.  He loved to travel, especially by air.  He had an opportunity to take a few flying lessons decades earlier and spoke excitedly about the thrill of soaring above the clouds.  He purchased time-shares to encourage his children and grandchildren to explore the world.   After a stint in a rehabilitation center following a hospitalization for pneumonia in early 2019, he took a long-awaited trip to Cuba with his children.  Emmanuel loved all-things Cuban - music, food, and culture.  The journey had great significance because his own father lived in Cuba for 17 years.  It was the last vacation he took and provided the closure he sought.

An intelligent, educated man, Emmanuel had an encyclopedic knowledge of history and current events.  A mild case of Alzheimer’s disease in his later years impacted his short-term memory, but events of the past remained clear as a bell.  His early interest in photography resulted in a massive archive of family photos dating back to the 1950s and a cache of videos from the 1980s through the early 2000s.  This interest in photography was passed on to his son, Yves who caught the “photographer’s bug” early and went on to build a successful 40-year photography business.  After Emmanuel retired and still had vitality, he assisted his son and granddaughter, Alexandria with photo shoots.  Nothing gave him more pride and pleasure than wearing a tuxedo and working beside his lovely granddaughter and son, the photographer. 

Emmanuel was above all else a family man.  He was the definition of a loving father.  The only thing that exceeded his joy at fatherhood was being a grandfather and great-grandfather.  He adored his grandchildren and played an integral role in their lives.  He doted on his great-grandchildren and enjoyed the many activities they shared as a family including vacations, birthdays, holidays, and yearly apple-picking day trips.   

Emmanuel is preceded in death by his parents Phadael Calizaire and Marie Rose Laurieda Bruny Calizaire, his brother Ulrick Calizaire, his mother-in-law Anna Jean-Gilles, father-in-law Joseph Hector Jean-Pierre, daughter-in-law Kathleen Pitt Calizaire, brother-in law Mueller Pierre-Jacques and spouse Marie-Therese Benoit Pierre-Jacques. 

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Fernande Garnier Calizaire; his children: Yves Calizaire, Theresa Calizaire Hutchinson and her husband Wayne Lewis-Hutchinson; grandchildren: Alexandria Calizaire, Kira Hutchinson, Matthew Hutchinson and his wife Kimberly Peralta Hutchinson; great-grandchildren: Keitan Brown and Cali Brown.

Siblings and their spouses also survive him, they are: Claude Calizaire, Paul Calizaire and his wife Aviole Pierre-Calizaire.

Additional surviving in-laws and former in-laws are: Guy Liautaud, Maude Liautaud-Jules, Inorla Jean-Pierre, Fritz Jean-Pierre and his wife Millienne Jean-Pierre, Solange Jean-Pierre, Nicole Jean-Pierre and her husband Boileau Alexander, George Jean-Pierre, Dr. Zeronie Grant, Carl Hutchinson and his wife Barbara Dale Hutchinson, Aloude Edouard, Yvette Lespinasse Calizaire, Mirielle Conde, and Dr. Kim Jaggers-Smith.

Nieces, nephews and their spouses:  Vivianne Calizaire-Brissette and her husband Hugh Brissett, Carla Calizaire, Paul Anthony Calizaire, Marguerite Emmelyne Calizaire, James Calizaire, Patrick Calizaire, Claudine Calizaire and her significant other Roudy Luc, Sandra Calizaire, Judline Calizaire, Charles Pierre-Jacques, Linda Pierre-Jacques and her husband Frantz Champagne, Dr. Henri Pierre-Jacques and his significant other Rose DeSana, Ralph Jules, Regine Liautaud and her husband Clifford Laude, Gregory Liautaud and his wife Mary Kendelle Avin, and Rachelle Liautaud.

Grand nieces and nephews: Jayson Parker, Christian Parker, Leyna Abrahams, Van Abrahams, Alexa Luc, Jean Verne (JV) Souffrant, Jr., Henri (H2) Pierre-Jacques, Jr. and his wife Rhapsodie Rolynne, Christian Liautaud, Tyler Liautaud, Jakson Liautaud, Anabelle Verna, and Sebastien Verna.

Cousins, other family members, and close friends of the deceased:  Justin Turnier, Mimose Turnier, Michel Jean-Louis, Tony Garnier, Odeline Bruny Fenelus, Joslin Fenelus, Ernst Bruny, Bertholet Garnier, Marie-Josee Eugene, Georges Garnier, Margareth Garnier, Robert Garnier, Eddy Garnier, Vardha Garnier, Dr. Louis Auguste, Patrick Garnier, Francois Carroll Pierre-Jacques, Marie Pierre Jacques, Pierre Dmeza, Michelle Garnier, Ritha Antoine, Edward Fordham, Enrico Viola, and Debra Viola.

There are many other members in the Calizaire extended family.  Space constraints do not permit the listing of everyone. 

A man of few words, Emmanuel radiated warmth and tolerance.  He was beloved by many and his legacy of kindness will live on in his family and friends.  He was called home on Thursday, October 15, 2020 after a years-long battle with congestive heart failure, diabetes, and high blood pressure.  He lived his life as he wished to, surrounded by family, friends, and music, and his final months were serene and comfortable.  He was at peace and accepted the journey that lay before him with grace.