GERARD PREPETIT's Obituary
Gerard Prepetit Sr. (Jerry)
Beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather and Uncle age 81 passed away Saturday, November 11th, 2017 at his home in Lithia, Florida surrounded by his family. Gerard was born November 20, 1935 to Lys B. and Rose (Damour) Prepetit in Pétion -Ville, Haiti, the oldest of 3 children.
He graduated High School from Lycée Alexandre-Pétion in 1956. Gerard attended the Faculty of Engineering in Port-au-Prince, Haiti and obtained a degree in Civil Engineering. He was awarded a scholarship for post graduate work at the University of Mexico. Upon completion Gerard returned to Haiti and worked for the Department of Hydraulics. He travelled to Canada working on The Universal Exposition of 1967 in Montreal. He then returned to Haiti, married his wife Nicole (Jean-Pierre) Prepetit of 51yrs. and moved to the United States. In 1967 Gerard began a long career with the State of Michigan Highway Department as an engineer, where he was subsequently promoted to squad leader for the Michigan Department of Transportation. He later retired after 25 years in 1991 and moved to Florida with his wife.
Gerard lived a full life, as a devoted Father and Husband, he was a good and hardworking family man who provided not only financial support to his family but also love and compassion. As a pioneer and natural leader, he provided support to help many Haitian families immigrate to the United States. Gerard was a proud and very generous man. Gerard would always lend a helping hand to those who needed his help especially in the Haitian Community, always emphasizing the importance of a good education. Gerard was a man that many in the community would look up to not only for support but also for guidance. He would provide the assistance that people needed and you could always count on him being there for you. Gerard was not only a man of strong conviction and perseverance, but he was very humorous and loved having a good time with friends and family.
Gerard Prepetit Sr. is survived by his wife, Nicole; son Jean-Guy; son Gerard Jr. (Melanie) Prepetit; daughter Nathalie (Andrew) Nichols and Perry (Pierre); grandchildren Garrett, Sierra, Ethan, Gabriel and Madeline; brother, sister, sister-in-laws Rosemary (Jean-Pierre) Jean-Louis, Micheline (Jean-Pierre), Yanick (Silverne), Marie (Silverne) Louis and Jacqueline (Bertrand) Jean-Pierre, Maryse (St. Pierre) and Josephina (Jean-Pierre) cousins, numerous nephews, nieces and special friends. Gerard is preceded in death by his parents and a brother. The Family will greet friends from 7:30pm-10:00pm on Friday, November 24th, 2017 at Van Orsdel Kendall Chapel in Miami. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 25th at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 11291 SW 142nd Ave, Miami at 11:00am with Msg. Schwanger. A reception will follow in the social hall.
Memorials may be made at the NINDS (National Institute of Neurological Disorders & Strokes) ninds.nih.gov or the Moffitt Cancer Center give.moffitt.org.
What’s your fondest memory of GERARD?
What’s a lesson you learned from GERARD?
Share a story where GERARD's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with GERARD you’ll never forget.
How did GERARD make you smile?
