August 25,1920 – March 24, 2020
Rodney EL. Barratteau passed away on March 24, 2020 at Kendall Lakes Health & Rehabilitation Center where he has resided for the past 4 months.
Rodney was born in Haiti and was orphaned of mother at birth. He developed a tough exterior, but always had an outlet for generosity. He grew up in the South Side of the Country principally “Les Cayes”.
Rodney was the younger brother of a famous Haitian Musician, Mr. Destinoble Barratteau. He developed a passion for Music and played the Clarinet at times with a local band named La Muse des Cayes.
He adored his Dad and at an early age, he learned from him the art of making exquisite pieces of Jewelry. After finishing his studies, Rodney obtained a position as an accountant at a major bank in Port-au-Prince. A short while later, he earned an executive position at “La Société Haitienne Americaine de Development Agricole / SHADA” where he met and worked with many of his longtime friends and he eventually became its director in Cap-Haitien but when he would not succumb to corruption, it became politically imperative for him to leave his native country. Rodney migrated to Canada to join his older brother Albert and then shortly thereafter made his way to New York City.
He made a successful life for himself in New York as an accountant and subsequently retired in Florida in 1985. He will be remembered for his many God-given gifts and abilities. He was still using his accounting skills to prepare tax returns for friends long into his retirement. The gift of music ran in his family’s DNA and his yearly telephonic rendition (serenade) of “Happy Birthday” composed by him; played on the clarinet and the keyboard; and sang in several languages will be sorely missed by all. Many jewelry boxes bear testimonials of his artistic designs and workmanship.
Rodney credited his longevity, his mental acuity, and his relatively good physical health to his close relationship with God and to his firm belief in natural remedies: garlic, Vodka (FGH) parsley, and carrots being at the top of the list.
Rodney was renowned for his Love & Respect of his heavenly Father. His most famous words were “Si Dieu le Veut”, because he truly believed that GOD had his hands in everything, and he would always say: “C’est la volonté de Dieu”. Most of you would remember his favorite blessing after a visit, or a phone conversation that would always end with “Sous le Doux Regard Souriant du Seigneur Notre Dieu”.
We would like to thank everyone that helped in one way of another to keep him home and independent for so long by your frequent phone calls and frequent visits to check on him. I can assure you that he cherished all your Love and Attention as he referred to himself as being “gatté / spoiled” by so many such as Bertholet – Fifi – Stanley - Junior Eugene, Pierre & Micheline Aarons, Marie-Berthe Narchet, Elsee Larsen, Claudine, Francine ect.
Rodney is survived by Harry & Regine Narchet, cousins, nieces, nephews, his plethora of godchildren and many friends: Mr. & Mrs. Jan Delerme, Mr. Daniel Barratteau & his wife Johane Barratteau, Mrs. Yvette Augustave and sons, Dr. Stanley Augustave, Mr Keymar Augustave; Mr. Claude Rousseau, Mr. Jacquelin & Nadia Andrieux; Mrs. Merita Delacruz, Florence Delacruz , Nadia & Dominique Delacruz; Geralde Narchet, Ronald Narchet, Solange Narchet, Mr. Paul DesRosiers, Ms. Claudine Desrosiers-Guerrier, Mrs.Yanick Barratteau, Mr. Hans Barratteau, Mr. Jean-Marie Barratteau, ect.
Ton Rodney was at Peace and ready to meet his Heavenly father and the best thing that all of you should do is to Celebrate the life of a giant, a just and wonderful man that was Loved and will be missed by many of us.
A very special “Thank You” to Nurse Practitioner Martine Larrieux and her staff at South Miami Hospital Wound Care Center that took care of his vascular wounds from 2012 to 2019; and finally to Nurse Johane Barratteau and the Kind Hearted Staff of Nurses and CNA’s (Tina, Juliet, Nadege, etc.) of Kendall Lakes Health & Rehabilitation Center for their loving support during the last four months of his life.
Rest in Peace, until we meet again Ton Rodney,
Repose En Paix, Avec Amour.
Harry & Regine Narchet
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