During his childhood, Guy was especially attached to Nanny, his paternal grandmother and was always quoting her especially about her home remedies! That’s probably where he got his penchant for health and telling friends and family all the time to make sure they are taking vitamins and supplements to be healthy.
Growing up in Haiti, he loved playing soccer and tennis and always spoke fondly of his childhood and all the family parties and gatherings where his cousins were more like his brothers and sisters. The Sunday family gatherings in Dikini were legendary.
Guy left Haiti at 17 and went to New York via the Bahamas where he stayed with his Uncle Morris and became acquainted with the Barbes, his grandmother’s side of the family.
In 1959 he joined the US Marines and after a European tour he was sent to Morocco to complete his service. Three days before he left for Morocco, he met his wife, Rosemarie Somma in 1961. For 18 months they wrote letters to each other and when he was discharged in 1963, he asked Rosemarie to marry him, and they were married in July 1964.
While in NY he worked on Wall Street for various banks and financial institutions and their first daughter, Michele, was born. Guy grew tired of the hustle and bustle of New York and being on Wall Street and they decided to move to Maryland where he continued working in financial institutions and was closer to his brother Claude and his family. The parties and gatherings were infamous and still spoken about today. Their second daughter, Claudine, was born in Maryland.
Guy missed being in the islands and since he had family in St. Thomas, he wanted to go back to island living. So, in 1976 the Larreur family moved to St Thomas. It was in St. Thomas that he went back to playing tennis, and he became a teaching Tennis Pro and loved it! Through tennis, Guy met great friends that became part of the family.
Many of the memories in those early times in St. Thomas was around family time on the tennis courts and weekends on the beach. Guy loved being near the water and on the beach.
In 1982 the Larreur family left St. Thomas for Illinois where Guy received his BA and continued his love for teaching tennis. In 1985, the Larreur family was on the move again and moved to Miami where Guy obtained a master's degree in hospitality and Hotel Management.
While Miami was great, Guy missed island living and in 1987 the Larreur family moved back to St. Thomas, where they were close to family, and Guy built a career managing several resorts throughout the Caribbean.
When Guy came out of the service, he always said that he wanted to have his own business. Finally, his dream came true with the opening of Konbit, where he focused on helping Haitians navigate the complex immigration process to becoming US Citizens. He continued this important work when he finally decided to move to Florida permanently. He missed St. Thomas tremendously, and for many years tried to return as frequently as possible.
While in Florida, he continued to play tennis and met great friends. In, 2006, his grandson Nate was born, and he was so proud of his grandson and was always happy when Nate visited him, and they had quality social time and bonded over tennis.
Over the past several years, Guy had heart issues that began with quintuplet bypass surgery and on January 29, 2023, he passed due to congestive heart failure.
He was married to Rosemarie for 58 years, and although there were many ups and downs and moves around, he was very proud of the life they had and their love for each other endured. Guy loved his daughters very much and was very proud of them.
Guy was a Loving Husband to Rosemarie Larreur, Loving Father to Michele and Claudine, Loving Grandfather to Nate, Loving Father- In – Law to Garly Benoit, Loving Brother to Claude and Monique and Loving uncle, Loving Brother – In – Law to Kevin, and Loving cousin, and friend to so many.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, one of Guy’s favorite charities.
Family recommended hotel:
Hampton Inn - Ellenton/Bradenton
Hotel accommodations can be found in Sarasota, nearby Braedenton as well
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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