Roland Douze Sr.

On April 1, 1940, Noel Celis & Jeanne’ Solan Douze gave birth to Roland Douze Sr in Port Au Prince, Haiti. My father would always talk about how much he admired his Father as a provider and supporter of their home. He learned how to manage his finance by observing his father’s business operations. His mother on other hand was the matriarch of the family. She was the CEO of the house taking care of him and his siblings.

At a young age, my father was active in several extracurricular activities. He was on the National Haitian Soccer league, he enjoyed ballroom dancing, going to music festival with live bands, and just enjoying life with his family and friends.

While he was about his daily business, a beautiful young lady, named Rosita, caught my father’s eye. This young damsel was not interested in my father at first but, his charming and free-spirited ways captured her heart. After years of courtship, they were married. Soon after, they gave birth to their first son, Roland.

In the 60s, Haiti was going through civil unrest with several tyrants as leaders. Clashes were happening in the streets. People were either murdered, kidnapped, or arrested without cause. My father made the decision that he needed to get his family out of Haiti. In 1969, he came alone from Haiti to the USA with limited resources. When he arrived to the USA, he was so amazed by America. He flew in through New York City. You can only imagine how he felt being in an island boy and seeing man made mountains of buildings. He remembers seeing the Statute of Liberty and the American Flag. He knew this was going to be his home. Well unfortunately, he came post-civil rights movement. So, life was not easy for him. He was rejected at different work sites. If he outperformed, he was let go because he posed a threat. But that did not discourage him. When he landed an opportunity with Ballen Printing in New York, he found a work team that later became his work family. He was promoted to a Pressman position. If you ever had a chance to speak with him about his favorite work, he would quickly say Ballen Printing was the best company he ever worked for.

Nevertheless, in the back of his mind, was his wife and son. He saved all his earnings to get an apartment in Brooklyn and also for the immigration cost for his young family. In 1970, he was able to bring his wife and young son to America. While he was at the nursing home, I asked him what was the most proudful and memorable day in his whole life. I thought he was going to say the day I was born, but I was wrong. He told me the best day of his life was the day he brought his wife and son to America. I then asked him what was his next favorite day in his life. He told me there were several but, it was when he was able to bring the rest of his family and his wife’s family to America.

In 1972, my mother and father welcomed their second son, Reginald, to the world. They were excited to see this handsome boy. While my brother Reggie and mother, were extremely close. Reggie took on the free spirited and fun-loving character of my father. When Reggie was killed in the car accident, it broke his heart. Part of him was killed that day.

In 1977, my parents were surprised to find out they were expecting again. They automatically thought they were going to have a third son. But God had something else planned. They gave birth to their third and last child. Both my parents prayed that it would be a girl. If it was a girl, they would dedicate her to God and name her Ruth. Well, here I am. I was different from my two brothers. I took on both parent’s characters. My mother’s quiet yet adventurous spirit and my father’s protective nature. My dad told me that as a child I was always quiet and very observant. My dad always saw that I was too serious and always tried to make me laugh. Even as an adult, we would bicker back and forth. On the outside it looked like we were disputing, but, my father and I had nothing but love for each other. That was our thing. He was always my protector and guardian. I remember a time I was walking to Northeast Elementary School in Brentwood, NY. I had my Walkman on and I was not paying attention to my surroundings. I was suddenly approached by a stray dog. I immediately saw the danger and knew that I could not outrun this dog. As I was stepping back, the dog still was approaching me. Then it suddenly started growling. It lunged past me and was struck by rod. I looked up and there was my dad. Striking the stray dog until it ran away. My dad became my hero. When I thought I was alone, he was their watching and protecting me. From youth to adulthood, my dad always reminded me that I was his baby girl. I know I will always be daddy’s little girl. In the last two years, our tables were turned. Due to illness, now I became his protector and guardian. He would tell me all the time that now he was my baby and I would reassure him and let him know that he will always be dad.

My dad loved his family. He loved seeing his children and grandchildren. He loved family reunions. When he knew family or friends were coming over, he and my mother would always want to give them the best. They stocked up the fridge. They laid out the itinerary (in which my brother, Reggie, or I were the chauffeurs.) They just wanted their family and friends to have the best time.

My dad was also a helper. He always would lend a helping hand to his children and their spouses, to extended family, and friends. It was rear for him to not to help people whether it be financially or with advice. He always wanted to be the solver of problems. I can’t tell you how many family meetings he would have to correct and issue with the family. He just had a good nature about him.

Lastly, both my mother and father were always together. Where you see one, you saw the other. They did everything together. They visited several countries … Brazil, Several Caribbean islands, Greece, Paris, England, Costa Rica, and the list goes on. You would see them at Wal-Mart, the park, Publix, YMCA, etc.… They define the word companionship. They both made each other whole. My favorite memory is when I would come home from college or from NC and my mom would have something cooking and they would have Tabou Combo playing in the background. I would see them dancing in the kitchen. They filled the home with joy and love. When my mother passed away, ½ of my father was broken. I made my best efforts to take him to the beach, park, restaurants, trips with my husband, etc.… I know Carina, his daughter in law, would invite him to family parties, where he was known as Pops. I am appreciative to you for doing this Carina and Brian. At your family gatherings, he would dance and enjoy every minute.

As days were shortening for him, he constantly would lament and cry out for his wife and how he longed to see her again. As his body was giving way, I saw him fight to stay with me because he wanted to see his future grandkids. He told me that he wanted to place my kids on his lap to play with them. He says he hopes if we have a little girl he would like to dance with her. Unfortunately, his body and spirit was calling him to rest.

On June 18, 4:30 am, he went to his heavenly home. Psalms 116:15 says “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” I could see him walking on shoreline to his wife who has awaited his arrival. I could only imagine that his son would give him that long-awaited hug. I could imagine his sister and brothers welcoming him home. What I am imagining is now his reality. He is finally home at rest with no pain.

In closing, I want to thank a couple of people that really help me as well as my father during his last couple of months. I want to thank Melissa Mathurin for taking time to visit him as often as she could. He enjoyed the strawberry ice creams, Haitian desserts, and hot chocolates. I also would like to thank the rest of his nieces, nephews, aunts, and uncles that called him on a regular. Thank you, Auntie Gladys and Auntie Mireille, for all your calls of encouragement. I want to thank my church family at Bible Believer’s Tabernacle for showing him compassion and for visiting him on occasion. If I missed anyone, I apologize.

Thank you all for attending and supporting our family today.