Calixte Jean Francois

As a child, growing up in Haiti, Calixte was full of energy but also had a laid-back personality. From an early age, it was clear he had a genuine love for people. He was a loving child who grew into a caring and sensitive man; they were endearing traits that served him well throughout his life.

In 1975, he and three siblings came to the United States to start a new life outside of their native country, to be part of the American dream. He soon enrolled at Spring Valley High School, in New York, and began adjusting to his new life. Calixte had joined, his father, stepmother, Ghislaine, and other siblings to become part of a large extended family in Rockland County, a thriving immigrant community. Upon graduating high school, he attended Dominican College. His passion for cooking eventually led him to a career working at a number of hotels and restaurants in the New York and New Jersey area and Florida. He would go on to become a master caterer, a maestro in the kitchen, who brought much joy to anyone lucky enough to have tasted his cooking.

Calixte was self-trained in the culinary arts. He had extraordinary talent and skill and knew how to present his dishes to their most dramatic effect. At the height of his career, he catered major events in the Rockland County Haitian community and beyond.

Food for Calixte was love. You could taste his passion in his cooking. He had the added skill of also being a baker, making elaborate cakes and pastries for weddings, communions, graduations and a host of life’s important events.

If food was love for Calixte then music was his joy. He was a consummate partier who loved the “bals” (Haitian dance parties) and also enjoyed other musical genres. He was passionate about Latin music and dance and taught many others how to salsa and meringue. Above all, Calixte was a giver, entertainer, animator who lit-up any room he walked into. He always had a smile, a positive attitude and deep empathy for his family and friends. He especially loved his daughter Bianca and talked about her to anyone who would listen. We also cannot forget what a style trendsetter he was! He loved clothes, color, hats and great shoes. He was never drab and showed his personality through his fashion sense.

As much as God blessed him with many attributes, he also suffered a number of challenges and set-back throughout his life. For more than 20 years, Calixte faced many health challenges, including diabetes and kidney failure. On January 19, the good Lord called him home after more than two months at the hospital. While we are pained, he has passed, we know he is in a better place and has rejoined his mother, father, family and friends who preceded him and ancestors from long ago. It is no surprise that shortly before he was admitted to the hospital, he was making plans to cook Thanksgiving meal for nearly two dozen people…a giver to the very end.

To Join the Funeral Service at 11:00am Via Zoom, please follow the link below.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87865109808?pwd=blE5dlFqNWJIbHlzVzR5dDhDYjJBQT09