Samuel J. Roker

Samuel J. Roker was born August 19, 1925 in Cap Haitien, Haiti, the only child of Martha Roker, who predeceased him. As a young man, he was an excellent student attending Lycee Phillipe Guerrier and later completing his law degree in Port-au-Prince. He practiced law in Haiti and his love for education led him to teach both in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. He held positions as Governor of Fort-Liberte trou Vallieres, translator at Department of Immigration,

and Consul of Haiti in Dajabon, Dominican Republic.

Samuel enjoyed the study of language and spoke four languages fluently: English, Creole, French and Spanish. With hard work and some luck, opportunity came in the way of post graduate work in the United States at Georgetown University and University of Michigan.

Following his studies, he worked as a freelance writer and journalist particularly for the Haiti Observateur, contributing hundreds of articles about Haiti politics. He also worked on Wall Street and dedicated over twenty years to Depository Trust Company, where he retired in the early 90s.

If you ever wanted to have a passionate conversation with Samuel, you only needed to bring up his four favorite topics: religion, politics, sports (especially soccer, boxing and football), and traveling. He could often be seen in front of the television with his fist clenched air boxing along with the greats like Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard. He loved watching the Super Bowl.

Samuel truly enjoyed traveling. He’s been throughout most of the contiguous United States, Europe, and the Caribbean. Samuel often visited the birth place of his mother, Nassau, Bahamas.

Samuel was an avid reader and his library was filled with books: his favorites being the Bible and the biographies of United States Presidents. Samuel was always able to give you a brief bio of any United States President. Samuel was a brilliant man and often awed friends and family with his knowledge. He could answer any question on the show Jeopardy and enjoyed playing along as he watched the show.

One could also say that Samuel was a historian as he would regale you with stories about Haiti and vehemently defend his beloved country.

Samuel loved God, his family and friends.

Samuel leaves to mourn and cherish his loving memories: his devoted wife of forty-seven years, Marie Carmel Roker; children, Stephan Roker, Marie Magdala Roker-Jones, Nancy Hugette Roker, Jessie Roker, Love Roker, Samuel Roker, Jr. and Maryse Roker; son-in-law, Craig Jones; daughter-in-law, Rhona Greene-Roker; sister-in-law, Jacqueline Germaine; brothers-in-law, Gerald Saint-Vil and Jean Saint-Vil; and grandchildren, Nygel, Alexander, Clio and Logan.

May the Lord bless and keep you, Samuel J. Roker.

Your spirit lives in all of us. We love you.