Roger Victor

Roger Victor, 62, passed away peacefully at home in the arms of his only child on the morning of December 2, 2021. He fought Colon Cancer for 15 months with great courage, huge faith, and a tenacity that surpassed his being. His life, while short-lived, was never short from the love of God and the love from those he held near and dear to his heart. For Roger, every living moment was about making sacrifices, the greater good, giving his all, unlocking the key to life, sharing his wisdom and creating heartfelt memories with his family.

His early life was spent in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, where he was born on July 8, 1959. Roger, the first-born son of Eugenie and Gervais Victor grew up in Haiti attending the best schools and living a comfortable, simple, but happy life. In Haiti, he attended both grade school and high school until his mother Eugenie decided she would move her family to America to seek greater opportunities and make a new way for her children. In 1974, Eugenie, Roger and his older sister Marly were the first to embark on the journey to America and pave the way for their three other siblings and father, Gervais Victor. They departed to the big apple and created the new beginning for the family in Queens, New York.

In Queens, Roger was just 15 years old when he started working to help contribute to the household and support the Eugenie’s dream of relocating everyone to America. He worked very hard being that he was the eldest son to provide and support the family during that transition – it wasn’t easy, but Roger had a strength and faith that carried him over the course of his life. While working to support the family dream, Roger still pursued an education by attending Andrew Jackson High School in Queens, New York. Roger was a dedicated student just as much as he was a dedicated family member.

One year before his high school graduation, life took a turn for Roger. He learned of his father’s untimely passing in 1976 from a stroke. That’s when everything took a turn, and the family dream was realized a lot faster than he or any of his siblings were prepared for. Just months after Gervais passed, Eugenie, Marly and Roger sent for their other siblings Gina, Richard and their youngest sister Louloune to leave Haiti and move to America. The timeline of events did something in Roger, it created this deep family first principle that remained with him throughout his entire life. Despite the turn in events, Roger still graduated with distinction from high school in 1977.

The family all lived under one roof, but being the oldest male, Roger stepped up in every way possible. He took on a lot of responsibility while each member of the family, including himself, worked to brighten the family’s future. Roger wanted to make sure he was there to support everyone, but especially his mother. The relationship he had with his mother was one no words could describe. They were extremely close – the love and bond they shared was nothing like the bond Eugenie had with any of her other children. Only they understood the bond they had, but put simply, he was her favorite child.

As the years went by, everyone worked hard, went on to graduate from college and started to embark on their individual journeys. His individual pathway lead him to love. Roger met his wife, and now widow, Elsie Victor, in 1987. It was Roger’s dapper wardrobe and handsome physique that sparked their romance. After dating for one year, Roger and Elsie wed in 1988. Two years after their marriage, Elsie gave birth to Roger’s first and only child, Valerie Victor in the winter 1990. It was always the three of them, no matter how near or far, especially in the very end.

Roger had a unique relationship with his daughter Valerie. They saw a lot of themselves in one another, but seldom would they admit or acknowledge it. Roger often sang private praises to anyone who would listen about how much he loved his daughter and how proud he was of her. He went above and beyond to push her, provide for her, motivate her and help her chase her dreams like he did for many. Valerie is the woman she is today largely because of her father, the sacrifices he made and wisdom he poured into her about life, spirituality and more.

His individual pathway also guided him to relocate from New York to Georgia with his wife and daughter. The two bought a beautiful home together and inspired the rest of Roger’s family to do the same. He also found himself a promising career in Information Technology in Georgia. If there was anything technical, computer based or beyond, Roger was all over it. He ended his professional climb as a Management Analyst II in the Information Technology field working for the Dekalb County Government. Roger was a well-respected and appreciated colleague, widely loved and embraced by the Dekalb County family.

Life was going beautifully; Elsie retired in August of 2020 and Roger was supposed to follow soon after. The pair just bought a brand-new retirement home in May 2020 because they planned to retire there, together, but life had other plans for Roger. After just one month of relocating to the new retirement home (September 2020), Elsie, Valerie and the entire family learned of Roger’s condition, Stage IV Colon Cancer. Roger fought relentlessly for 15 months against Colon Cancer – he put up an amazing fight.

Throughout the entire duration of his illness, Elsie and Valerie stood by his side to support him until the very end. It was challenging, but they stuck together as a family and provided Roger with the comfort and love he needed to keep fighting. Roger never gave up, he never lost hope, and even in the end it was not easy for him to accept the fact that he was terminally ill or dying. It was always mind over matter for Roger, that’s just the kind of person he was.

Ultimately, God decided to end Roger’s battle and eliminate his suffering by delivering Roger in his home on December 2, 2021 from cancer. During his final moments, Roger was embraced by the love and care of his wife, and in the arms of his only child. Now, Roger is sleeping in peace and we can all rest assured he is resting in the comfort and love of the most high. Rest in peace Roger Victor.

A visitation for Roger will be held on Saturday, December 18, 2021 from 8:30AM to 9:30AM at Horis A. Ward Funeral Home - Fairview Chapel, 376 Fairview Road, Stockbridge, Georgia 30281.

The Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, December 18, 2021 at 10:30AM at Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church, 2560 Tilson Road, Decatur, Georgia 30032.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.horisawardfairviewchapel.com for the Victor family.