Deacon Francois Joseph Innocent

Joseph Francois Innocent passed away peacefully on Monday, August 3, 2026, at the age of 96. He was born on April 13, 1930, in Barahona, Dominican Republic, to Francine Desir and Emmanuel Innocent. Francois was the second oldest of ten siblings: Antoine, Moise, Jacques, Annemarie, Emmanuel, Joseph, Clara, Altagracia, and Marie Rose.

Francois was raised in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, where he attended Jean Marie Guilleaux Primary School and later Saint Louis de Gonzague High School. Following high school, his passion for agriculture led him to pursue a degree in Agronomy at the Faculté d’Agronomie. After graduating, he began a distinguished career as an agronomist, traveling throughout Haiti to support agricultural development and rural communities. During that period, Emmanuel passed. Francois worked to support his Mom Francine, and siblings, making sure they continued their studies and received the support they needed.

During these travels, he met the love of his life, Bernadette Pean. In 1959, while visiting the city of Plaisance to celebrate the Feast of St. Michael, Francois and Bernadette met and quickly fell in love. They were married on August 20, 1960, and shared more than 60 years of marriage. Their union was blessed with three children: Francois Bernard, Patrick, and Myriam.

Francois and Bernadette raised their children in Port-au-Prince, and after a few years, they decided to pursue a better future for the family. Francois went on to pursue an advanced degree in Economic Development on a scholarship at the Universidade Federal do Ceará in Brazil in 1967. At the same time, Bernadette prepared to move to the United States. They settled in Brooklyn, NY, and eventually moved to Queens Village, where they lived for over 50 years.

Throughout his life, François was blessed with many unique skills and a natural ability to renovate, create, and repair. He was exceptionally handy and took great pride in remodeling and improving his home. He was a gifted artist, and his works of art are displayed throughout his home, adding pieces of his creativity and personality to the place he loved. He enjoyed building beautiful wooden furniture, fixing cars, and tending his beloved plants and garden. His creativity, patience, and willingness to lend a hand were a special part of who he was. The many projects he completed and creations he brought to life will remain lasting reminders of his enormous talent and spirit.

After moving to the U.S., Francois pursued a new career. Francois worked for the Department of Transportation as a computer programmer for over 25 years. He enjoyed his work with the city of NY and retired in 1999 at the age of 70.

Francois was a deeply devoted member of the Incarnation Church, where his faith and love of service ultimately led him to answer the call to the Diaconate. He was ordained a Deacon in 1990, beginning a vocation that would become an important and deeply meaningful part of his life. His gift for connecting with others, along with his fluency in several languages- French, Spanish, English, Portuguese, and Haitian Kreyol allowed him to serve and minister to parishioners from many different backgrounds, particularly within the Spanish and Haitian communities. As a deacon, Francois baptized children, assisted at weekly Masses, participated in countless weddings, and offered his time and compassion wherever he was needed.

Of all his ministries, his work managing the church pantry held a particularly special place in his heart, allowing him to serve those in need in a very personal way. Through his years of ministry, Francois touched the lives of countless parishioners and families. His kindness, generosity, and unwavering commitment to serving others left a lasting impression on everyone he encountered, and his legacy of faith and service will continue to live on in the community he loved so dearly.

Francois loved his family dearly. His three children and their spouses survive him: Francois Bernard and his wife, Florence; Patrick and his partner, Maxine; and Myriam. His six grandchildren also survive him: Cassandra; Bernard and his wife, Mariah; Robert and his wife, Rosa; Alexandria; Angelique; and Andre and his wife, Savannah. In addition, he leaves behind 13 great-grandchildren—Malik, Naomi, Aiden, Gisselle, Kamrin, Makayla, Julian, Bernard, Brianna, Andrew Jr., Axel, Cartier, and Ace—as well as brothers Moises and Alphonse and his brother- and sister-in-law, and countless dear cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Francois is now at peace, reunited with his beloved wife, Bernadette.

SERVICE INFORMATION

Visitation will be held at Incarnation Church, 89-43 Francis Lewis Blvd, Queens Village, NY 11427, on August 14, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, followed by the Vigil Mass at Incarnation Church, 89-43 Francis Lewis Blvd, Queens Village, NY 11427, on August 14, 2026, at 7:00 pm.

The Funeral Mass will take place at Incarnation Church, 89-43 Francis Lewis Blvd, Queens Village, NY 11427, on August 15, 2026, at 10:30 am.

Entombment will be at St. Charles / Resurrection Cemeteries, 2015 Wellwood Ave, Farmingdale, NY 11735, US, on August 15, 2026, from 12:15 pm to 1:00 pm.

A repast will be held at Douglaston Manor, 63-20 Commonwealth Blvd, Douglaston, NY 11362, on August 15, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm; The Innocent Family would like to invite all to the repast.