Antonio Duval

Samuel Duval was in the business of bringing Haitians to Cuba to work on the sugar cane farms, and once Papitte was baptized in Haiti just one month after birth, he was brought to Camaguey, Cuba where his father was stationed. Papitte was raised in Camaguey by Samuel Duval and his partner, Anne Cadet until age 7, when the family moved back to Roche-a-Bateaux, Haiti.

Papitte attended, Ecole Elementaire de Roche-a-Bateaux, then Michel Lazarre Ecole Primaire, then Lycee, where his age was changed from 16 years to 14 years old to meet the entry requirements.

He left school two years later and went to work as a heavy equipment operator, eventually working to help build the Bicentnaire in Port-au-Prince, and a hydroelectric plant in the Artibonite Valley.

Papitte had a total of 8 children, 12 grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren.

While working in the Artibonite Valley Papitte conceived his first two children: Lionel Jean-Jacques with Amalia Jean-Jacques, and Michelle Gabriel with Charline Gabriel.

He later returned to Cayes where he married Celane Ulysse, with whom he would eventually have six children: Marie Antonine Duval Augustin (who we all know as Poupette), Jean Francois Egbert Duval (who we all know as Doudou), Rose Martine Mathieu (who we all know as Martine), Sebastien Vandal Duval (who we all know as Jojo), Ketty Augustin (who we all knew as Pouchou). Ketty died suddenly and tragically in 2007, but she is here with us today in spirit.

Papitte's last child with Celane is, truly, Antonio Duval, Jr., who we all know as Bob.

Papitte's grandchildren are Serge Augustin, Stephen Augustin, Frederique Duval, Aysha Williams, Jamila McFarlin, Jennifer Duval, Stanley Duval, Danielle Duval, Brandon Augustin, Victoria Augustin, Yesenia Duval, and Chloe Benzan Duval.

His great grandchildren are Javier Augustin, Maliyah Augustin, Anaya Ible, Michael McFarlin Jr., Makayla McFarlin, Makenzie McFarlin, Maximus McFarlin, Jayden Augustin, and Xavier Augustin.

Papitte also had many nieces, nephews and other relatives --- indeed too many to mention --- a number of whom travelled across the country to be here with us today.

Papitte, his wife and six children lived in Cite Manigat, Port-au-Prince for many years until he was granted residency in the U.S. in 1970, where he soon obtained U.S. residency visas for Celane, Jean and Sebastien in 1971, and then for Marie, Martine, Ketty, and Antonio Jr. in 1972.

Papitte worked as a heavy crane operator, then as an auto mechanic in the U.S. until his retirement in the 1980s, after which he pursued his life's passion which was to travel to Haiti and spend as much time as possible in his home town of Port-Salut, Haiti, while still living in the U.S.

If there is one life lesson that Papitte can teach all of us, it is that we should never allow life's trials, tribulations and stress affect us to the point that we lose the ability to enjoy the many, seemingly trivial day to day pleasures that make life worthwhile.

Everyone that knew him well would agree that he had the uncanny ability to set aside the most stressful situations so that he could always wear a smile, and enjoy the simple pleasures such as small talk, visiting with friends, and listening to classical music.

He was a simple man and a very social person whose innate ability to manage stress may have been the secret to his longevity.

His was a very long life well lived, and so today we not only mourn his passing, but we also celebrate his life.

In closing let me say that the death of every person is a tragedy. But each death also reminds us of our own mortality, and the fact that none of us know how much more time we have.

Each death should therefore inspire us to live each day as though it may be our last; to make every effort to enjoy life in spite of our problems; to improve our relationships with family and friends; and to strive to check off items on our bucket lists, since none of us know when we'll be the ones called to meet our maker.

Thank you all again for joining the Duval family in paying our final tributes to Antonio Duval, who we'll always love and remember as "Papitte".

A visitation for Antonio will be held Friday, July 14, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Bailey Memorial, 6701 West Commercial Blvd, Tamarac, FL 33319. A funeral service will occur Saturday, July 15, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Our Lady Queen of Heaven, 1400 S State Road 7, North Lauderdale, FL 33068. A committal service will occur Saturday, July 15, 2023 from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM, 7801 Bailey Road, North Lauderdale, FL 33068.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.baileymemorial.com for the Duval family.