Roosevelt Louis

March 11, 1942 – September 17, 2026

Roosevelt Louis, 84, of Edison, New Jersey, passed away on September 17, 2026.

Roosevelt was born on March 11, 1942, in Jacmel, Haiti, to Leon and Eroizine Louis. He grew up surrounded by family, forming bonds with his brothers and sisters that would remain deeply

important throughout his life.

From an early age, Roosevelt learned the value of hard work. As a young man, he learned electrical work alongside his brother Laraque and also worked as a taxi driver in Haiti. Those

early experiences shaped the resourcefulness, determination, and strong work ethic that would follow him throughout his life.

Fatherhood became part of Roosevelt’s story early in adulthood with the birth of his eldest daughter, Wamence, followed years later by his son, Rony. His family would continue to grow in the years ahead when he became a stepfather to Hernando, Helen’s son, and later welcomed Roslin, his daughter with Helen.

On September 23, 1980, Roosevelt immigrated to the United States. His brother Laraque played an instrumental role in helping the family immigrate and establish a new life in America. Roosevelt first settled in Brooklyn, New York, before his journey eventually took him across the country to Pasadena, California.

It was in California that Roosevelt met Helen, the woman who would become his wife. Their courtship became the source of stories their family would continue telling for decades. Despite

initially not sharing a common language, Roosevelt found ways to communicate with Helen, sometimes with the help of a Haitian translator. Their story was one of persistence, laughter, time

apart, finding their way back to one another, and ultimately building a life and family together.

Helen was already a mother to Hernando, while Roosevelt was already a father to Wamence and Rony. Together, Roosevelt and Helen later welcomed Roslin, their only child together.

The family eventually settled in New Jersey in 1997. Roosevelt worked at Avis at Newark

Liberty International Airport, detailing cars until back problems led him to retire at age 63. Even his work at Avis became part of his children’s memories. On special occasions, Roosevelt sometimes brought home a particularly “nice” rental car, making an already exciting day feel even more special.

Those who knew Roosevelt knew him as a gentle giant. He was hardworking, generous, dependable, and honest to a fault. Helping others came naturally to him. He had a way of making

sure the people around him were cared for and, just as importantly, that they were fed.

His care extended well beyond his immediate household. Roosevelt often helped care for cousins and relatives, and one of his simple joys was gathering everyone together and taking them out to

the buffet.

He was also unmistakably Roosevelt—strong-willed, strict at times, wonderfully stubborn, funny, and capable of a laugh his family will never forget. So too was his familiar “Woyyy!”—an exclamation that could communicate disbelief, frustration, surprise, or pain depending entirely on the moment. Those who knew him rarely needed an explanation.

Roosevelt’s devotion to his family was perhaps most visible in the way he cared for Helen. When she became critically ill and required intensive care, Roosevelt remained beside her night after

night. When asked why he would not go home, he simply explained that he had nowhere else to go.

His place was beside his wife.

In his later years, Roosevelt quietly endured significant physical pain, more than many around him fully understood at the time. He also experienced profound loss. His siblings Leocadie and

Larousse passed away in 2023, followed by the loss of his brother Laraque in February 2026. The bonds Roosevelt shared with his siblings stretched across decades, countries, hardships, and

countless memories, and their losses affected him deeply.

Roosevelt found comfort in his Christian faith and had a particular love for Haitian gospel music.

He was predeceased by his parents, Leon and Eroizine Louis, and by his siblings Leocadie, Larousse, and Laraque.

Roosevelt leaves behind his wife, Helen Louis; his children and family, Wamence Louis-Goda, Rony Louis, Hernando Cortes Watson, and Roslin May Louis; his grandchildren, Sophia and Alisha; his siblings, Bertrand and Livianne; and many extended family members and friends whose lives were touched by his kindness and generosity.

Roosevelt’s legacy cannot be measured simply by the places he lived or the work he performed. It lives in the people he helped, the family he cared for, the sacrifices he made, and the countless

ordinary moments that became extraordinary memories for those who loved him.

He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

Visitation will be held at Krowicki McCracken Funeral Home, 2124 East Saint George Ave, Linden, NJ 07036, US, on September 26, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm.