Hubert H. Pongnon

Hubert Herman Pongnon, affectionately known as Tot, PopPop, and Pongnon, passed away peacefully on September 27, 2025, in Queens, New York, at the age of 95. Born on August 14, 1930, in New York City to Alfred Pongnon, a proud Haitian father, and Myra Pongnon, a devoted Jamaican mother, Hubert was the third of four children. He was a very small baby, so his mother Myra called him “Tiny Tot,” and the nickname "Tot" stuck with him for the rest of his life. At the age of 5, Hubert was taken to Haiti along with his siblings to be raised by their father, instilling in him a deep appreciation for culture, discipline, and heritage.

Hubert completed his high school education in Haiti. In 1955 he returned to the United States and entered the U.S. Army at the age of 25, serving honorably until 1962 and attaining the rank of Private First Class. Upon completing his service, he pursued further education through correspondence courses and began a long and diverse career.

After his honorable service in the U.S. Army, Hubert began his civilian career at New York Hospital. He then transitioned to the U.S. Postal Service before pursuing transportation work, first as a bus driver and eventually as a motorman for the New York City Transit Authority. During his tenure, Hubert passed the dispatcher’s exam with flying colors and earned the promotion. However, Hubert did not enjoy doing paperwork or wearing a suit to work, so he decided to return to his prior position as a motorman—a decision that reflected his authenticity and preference for purposeful, hands-on work.

A Roman Catholic, Hubert was a hard-working family man who placed faith, education, and integrity at the core of his values. He was known for his impeccable work ethic, love of laughter, and steadfast discipline—earning the affectionate nickname “Quick Draw” from his children, nieces and nephews.

Hubert enjoyed games of strategy and chance—cards, dominoes, chess, checkers, Pokeno, backgammon, Connect 4, as well as an impressive assortment of board games—and he rarely lost. He also loved spending time at the casino, where he often came away a winner. Hubert also found joy in reading classic literature in French, especially works by Victor Hugo such as Les Misérables, which reflected his deep appreciation for culture, language, and history.

Travel was a lifelong passion he shared with his beloved wife, Marie. Together, they explored destinations across Mexico, Spain, Morocco, Venezuela, Canada, Las Vegas, and Florida. During his Army service, Hubert had the opportunity to experience London, Germany, and Paris. He later traveled with his brother-in-law, Serge, to Ireland, Thailand, and France.

As a family, they cherished annual trips to Lake George, New York, and Hubert and Marie always hoped to one day visit Costa Rica together. Another cherished pastime was watching fútbol daily, a ritual that he and Marie delighted in sharing.

Hubert is preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Myra Pongnon, and siblings Norma Gadson, Stella Santiago, and Donald Pongnon. He is survived by his loving wife, Marie J. Pongnon; children Darie Martin (David) of Georgia and Shamira Gambrell (Carlton) of New York; grandchildren Keisha E. Howie, Daniel Z. Martin, and Danaye N. Martin; and great-grandchildren Kamiyah A. Lawrence and Kamryn E. Lawrence; his cherished brother-in-law, Serge Auguste, along with several nieces and nephews.

A Tribute to Our Father

Our father’s life was a living testimony of Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” He valued education, instilling in us a thirst for knowledge that has carried us through every stage of life. His work ethic was unmatched, reminding us daily of Colossians 3:23, “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.”

Though he demanded much as a strict disciplinarian, his discipline shaped us into who we are today—responsible, resilient, and faithful. He never faltered as a provider, ensuring that his family always had what we needed(and wanted), a reflection of 1 Timothy 5:8

“But those who won’t care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith. Such people are worse than unbelievers.” And through it all, he filled our home with joy, for his love of laughter reminded us that life is to be cherished and celebrated.

This is the legacy he leaves—one of wisdom, hard work, joy, and unwavering love. A legacy that lives on not only in his children but also in his children’s children, just as Proverbs 13:22 says, “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.”

We honor him today, and we carry forward the lessons he taught us for generations to come.