Gerard Joazard

Gerard passed away peacefully on Saturday April 22, 2017, after complications from a stroke. Gerard was born on August 4, 1933, in Cap Haitian, Haiti to Alphonse Tassy and Amazile Ceran. Gerard grew up with one brother, Reynold Tassy. Gerard graduated from Ecole Normal Rurale in Port-au-Prince Haiti and was a school teacher.

Gerard met his future wife in 1962 and on December 21, 1963, Gerard married Antoinette Fenelon, of St. Louis Du Nord. Gerard left Haiti in 1970 and immigrated to the Bahamas. 17 months later he made his way to New York City in pursuit of a better life for his wife and children. His risky journey into the United States paved the way for his immediate family and countless family members to also enter into the United States.

Gerard was a hardworking man who loved his wife and his family endlessly. Gerard lived and worked in New York City for 35 years. He retired in Miramar, Florida in 2002 where he loved to play cards and dominoes, he loved music and he loved to dance. He also enjoyed watching wrestling and the New York Yankees on television.

Gerard had a generous and giving spirit. He was a devoted Catholic and a member of St. Bartholomew Catholic Church in Miramar, Florida. He was also a former Legionnaire in St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Queens, New York.

Gerard is survived by his wife of 54 years, Antoinette Joazard; four children: Frantz E. Joazard and his wife Luckett Joazard, Ketty Joazard Gelin, Carline Joazard and Geraldine Joazard; five grandchildren: Jason R. Gelin, Nubia A. Joazard, Ciara J. Terrell, Celian R. P. Joazard and Andre R. Hylton; 1 brother: Reynold Tassy; three sisters- in-law: Irma Richmond and her husband, Barthel Richmond, Rita Fenelon and Roseline Philogene and her husband, Schiller Philogene. Gerard also leaves behind his cousin Michelle Boucard; nieces: Astride Joseph, Isabelle Jean, Rosie Richmond, Rosabelle Philogene and Dieudonne Tassy; nephews: Nasser Richmond, Joseph Richmond, Benjamin Beauharnais, Phillip Philogene, Garnel Tassy, Reynold Tassy, Barnel Tassy, Leslie Tassy and Jean Robert Tassy; and god-daughters: Mirlaine, Sandra, Rosabelle, and Sibyl. Gerard was preceded in death by his parents, Alphonse Tassy and Amazile Ceran, and his son Reginald P. Joazard who passed away at the age of 39 in 2007.

Special thanks and acknowledgement to: Nixon and Astride Joseph, Philogene Family, Pierre-Louise Family, Unelus Family, Telfort Family, Thelusma Family, Joseph Family, Robertson Family, Delille Family, Boucard Family, Honore Family, Cadet Family, Lorfils family, Jesus Family, Disla Family, Richmond Family, Chancey Family, Jean Family, Fenelon Family, Navarre Family, Agenor Family, Daniel Family, Mondesir Family, Ulysses Family, our church family, and all of our extended family and friends who have provided daily prayers and support during this time.