After ninety-eight fruitful years of life, Gerard Edgard Nacier peacefully left the corporeal world on August 15th, 2022, surrounded by his loved ones. He leaves behind his five children (Paul, Danielle Gabrielle, Mercedes and Jean-André) and joins his Heavenly family: his wife, Andréa and his son Moïse. His legacy lives on with fifteen grandchildren (Jampol, Rodney, Rhold, Rachelle, Matthew, Catherine, Florentz, Sébastien, Naomie, Olivier, Dominique, Danielle, Valendge, Jeandrice and Krystian) and four great-grandchildren (Kristof, Amelie, Emmett and Vivienne).
Born on June 8th, 1924 to Sara Aurubin and Edgard Nacier, Gerard was the last surviving child to his parents. He carpentered for nearly ten years before he worked as a customs agent until his retirement, but his truest vocation was serving others. As a member of the Legion of Mary and La Sainte Famille, he lived in unwavering faith and service to the Lord, often visiting sick and incarcerated individuals to offer guidance and comfort in their time of need. Gerard was both a religious and secular community leader; he prepared parishioners for pre-cana and catechism, counseled people with his knowledge as a customs agent and fostered many children, relatives and non-relatives alike.
Gerard will be remembered for his calm, patient demeanor, his love of dominoes, bezique, soccer, his captivating storytelling, his big appetite and also for his deep reverence for the love and union with God through a life of prayer and service to others. His memory will live on in the thoughts of all he loved and the hearts of all he touched.
A visitation for Gerard will be held Wednesday, August 24, 2022 from 4:30 PM to 9:00 PM at R. Stutzmann & Son, 224 39 Jamaica Ave, Queens Village, NY 11428. A mass will occur Thursday, August 25, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Sacred Heart Church - Cambria Heights, 115-50 221st Street, Queens Village, NY 11411. A burial will occur Thursday, August 25, 2022 from 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM at St. Charles/Resurrection Cemeteries, 2015 Wellwood Avenue, West Babylon, NY 11735.
Eulogy of Gerard Edgar Nacier
Good morning. To all the family members and friends gathered here to today welcome to the celebration of father’s life, Gerard Edgar Nacier.
My name is Jean-Andre Nacier I am the last child out of 6. This is what they call in creole “ denie cras vent”. (sorry no translation for that one).
To summarize and crystalize my father’s character I will say that he was a man that always make sure that his logic and emotions are always aligned to make decision with purpose for the greater good of himself and his family, he had great sense of vision, a deep faith into the Virgin Mary and was very generous.
Our father Gerard Edgar Nacier was born in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti on June 8 1924. At 2 years old his mother died and around 12 his father died and he became an orphan. He was raised by his grand- mother and god-mother. he had a twin sister and two other siblings. After 6th grade he decided to drop out of school to financially support himself by becoming a carpenter.
When my father became of age to form a family of his own he chose a woman that demonstrated strong family values and faith in God.
After the birth of my oldest brother Paul and sister Danielle he quickly realized that his profession was not able to provide for his family and decided to become a custom agent even though he was not qualified due to his lack of education. He told us the night before he dreamt of the Virgin Mary reassuring him that he would be accepted and indeed he did. That was the genesis of his deep faith in the Virgin Mary.
He was able to master that profession and became the dedicated custom agent for the catholic church.
He was instrumental in supporting the construction of St Michel Parochial School and church in Sansfil to support the poor in that neighborhood and was a member of the Legionnaire ministry.
My father made sure that all of his children attended the best school in Haiti, something he was denied of in his youth. In his constant devotion to better the life of his kids he sent My brother Paul Nacier to study medicine in Spain in 1970 even though he knew he would not see his first born for years to come.
“papam tekonin sa litap fe”
His vision paid off. My brother graduated as a doctor and married Parnelle, a woman with strong family values and belief in God, like his father told him . Through them we were able to migrate to the US.
You can calculate a man’s worth by the legacy he lives behind
My father was able to see all of his 6 kids graduate college and do well for themselves, He witnessed the birth, growth and success of 15 grand kids. He was fortunate enough to see the birth of four great grandchildren.
At 98 years old he took his last breath on August 15, the day of assumption when the Virgin Mary rose to heaven. There is no better person to introduce you to your creator.
We will miss him dearly and he will remain engraved in our hearts and memory forever. We love you PENA.
(mouin ta rimin remercie tout mount kite pran soin li)
I want to thank all the people that physically cared for him like Edythe, Mary, my sister Danielle and her husband Reynold, Rhody, Rachelle, Sebastien that used to cut his hair and specially our sister Gabrielle Pierre that made sure our father was medically, emotionally and spiritually taken care of. We love you sister and owe you a debt of gratitude.
Jean-Andre Nacier
From Sébastien Edwidge Pierre
My grandfather was the biggest pain in my neck.
Growing up, I never understood why they would match a stubborn old man with a ti dezod.When my parents told me that I had to take care of my grandfather I thought why me? Why me of all people? Little did I know that I would receive many blessings and lessons from this great man.
I became my grandfather's personal assistant, stylist, barber, photographer, church buddy, caretaker, chef, Chauffeur, fitness instructor, physical therapist, secretary, lawyer and the list goes on and on... Any job you can name under the sun, I was that for him. As you can tell he was the family celebrity. If I had a complaint they’d say “ li travay pou sa” or “yo di ke bourik fe pitit pou repose do’l” e byen do granpere te bien dou. When i told my grandpa “pou tout sa m’ap fe pou ou fok ou peye’m, he would respond with a great smile “e bel manman sa ke mwen ba ou a” (still was not enough).
My grandfather was a stubborn man yet also a comedian. I remember driving to church and I spent 20 minutes (10 in the car and 10 walking to the church), and I told l him that when we get to church we’re going to the left side and sit in the back because I did not like the attention you receive up front at the church. This man looked at me and understood everything that I said, as we walk to the church I open the door he walked up, made a right and he dashed to the front…I was amazed!
My grandfather also saved my life multiple times from “baton”! I remember one time I took a “punition” For purchasing a BB gun from a classmate. Long story short, a classmate got in trouble for using a BB gun and all of us got caught! Winter-break was around the corner and the principal purposely put the letter of suspension in our report card. It was winter break, I had to enjoy my time “petiti a petit”, but I was stressing everyday. When new years came I knew I was definitely in trouble since the suspension letter offered me an extra day of “holiday” and it had to be signed by a parent. I Looked to my grandfather and without hesitation, he signed it. Le jou a rive mwen rive lekol mwen al kache nan lari, prete telephone yon moun then called home and faked an illness.( till his death he never told a soul)
My grandfather loved to prank his family – he passed out more than 200 time and thought he was dying more than 78 times (he was my favorite actor). Every time he passed out it would be for things he did not want to do “Pe a nou pral change’w” -passed out- “Pe a annal flannen” -passed out- “Pe a men social worker a” -passed out-, and when he passed out, his eyelids would move and he would resist “ fe kol rek”. When my grandpa thought he was dying he’d put his best performance of his acting career li a di “mennen’m lopital, mwen ap mouri”, and the elders would urgently drive him there. I’d always love to see their faces as they returned from the hospital. He would be like a kid from a candy store happy to get his prize but the elders will be like “anyen non, misye anfom”. At each “performance” he would give me his favorite watch “men pran sa, pou ou sa ye” e mwen di li chak fwa ou ban mwen’l ou refe e mwen te kwe ou bay mont la a yon lot moun li “di non pou ou sa ye”.
As i reflected writing these words, I’ve come to the realization that my grandfather was one of my best friends and confidant. His “gwo tet” used to say to me with a bright smile “se papa’w mwen ye, mwen renmen anpil! Sispan anmerde’m” with that said, it is with great respect that I honor my father’s wishes by accepting this watch. Thank you! We love you Pena <3
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In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to support St. Michel Parochial School and Church in Sans Fil, Haiti, where Gerard Nacier volunteered for different ministries for over 30 years. Please use this email [email protected] on Zelle or donate to cash.app/$PrinceTree
Nan plas flè, tanpri voye yon don pou sipòte St.Michel Parochial lekòl e Legliz nan Sans Fil, Ayiti, kote Gerard Nacier te sèvi kòm volontè pou diferan ministè pou plis ke 30 ane. Tanpri itilize imel sa [email protected], oswa sou Zelle ou cash.app/$PrinceTree.
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