Rev. Dr. Raymond Maurice

Rev. Dr. Jacques Andre Stanislas Raymond Maurice, was a beloved husband, father, pastor, and educator. All who knew him had special names for him which he loved such as Papa, Papa Raymond, Dad, Daddy-o, Pe Maurice or like his wife used to call him Moy. 

 He was known to be the father who provided guidance and love to his children and gave allowances to and played around with his grandchildren. 

 Born on February 19, 1927, in Port-au-Prince Haiti to Therese Lettelier and Bazile Massena, Dr. Maurice was one of six siblings, preceded in death by his sisters Raymonde, Germaine, Denise Massena, and brothers Luders and Jan Massena. He is survived by his sister Germaine Massena Etienne who resides in Queens, NY.

From an early age, Dr. Maurice demonstrated a profound intellectual curiosity and natural aptitude for critical thinking, attention to detail, and communication. These skills were later used in his ministry and within his career as an electrician. He pursued his education at Les Frères Théâtre (Jean Marie Guilloux ) and Lycée Alexandre Pétion in Haiti, where he consistently excelled, graduating at the top of his class. In the years following his graduation, he was employed at Peligre, followed by Sedren a copper mining company in Gonaives, Haiti.

In 1954, Dr. Maurice met the love of his life Paula Theus and were united in holy matrimony. Their union was blessed with ten children Marlene, Marc, John, Eli, Mireille and Leon, Rachel and Esther and two daughters who preceded him in death, Raymonde and Paulette.

In July 1964, Dr. Maurice’s brother Jan Massena, who was then vice consul in the Bahamas offered him an employment opportunity for a better life.  He and Paula immediately relocated from Haiti in search of a better career opportunity. After one year, through the recommendation of a family friend, Dr. Maurice and Paula moved to Miami, Florida, where he continued to diligently work until finally moving to New Jersey.

 During this time, his spiritual journey deepened when the Lord found him. Guided by Pastor Duthene Joseph he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior, a decision that would shape the rest of his life.

 In 1967, he was baptized at Saint Paul’s Baptist Church in Montclair, NJ  where his family also resided however; later moved to East Orange, NJ.

 Dr. Maurice’s devotion to his faith was as steadfast as his commitment to his family. He began pastoring in 1968. His faith and vision inspired him to found the first Haitian Baptist Church, The Temple of Unified Christians (TUC) under a tree with only his family as the first congregation in Edgemont Park, Montclair, NJ. 
 

He later secured the church’s first physical location, 29 Woodland Avenue located also in Montclair, where many of our late and current Haitian pastors in the tri-state area were original members. He dedicated his life to serving others, both spiritually and through his community.

Through his passion for spreading the word of Christ, he established 17 additional TUC churches across Haiti in Bainet, Leogane, Gonaives, Bar Canaan, and Croix Des Bouquets. Furthermore, he authored and published two books about the Haitian-Christian experience in a world of witchcraft.

 He was known for being a scholar, a writer, an excellent communicator and for being extremely disciplined with time.

 Dr. Maurice understood the transformative power of education. He returned to school, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Religious Education from Bloomfield College in 1980. His dedication to learning culminated on June 1, 1997, when he obtained his Doctorate of Religious Studies from Lighthouse Christian College in Beene, Arkansas.

 He worked at Westinghouse Electric in Bloomfield, NJ and Walner Chilcott in Morris Plains, NJ for several years to provide for his growing family, all while continuing his ministry in the United States and Haiti. 

Dr. Maurice leaves behind a legacy of love, faith, and unwavering dedication. He is survived by his devoted wife, his eight children, grandchildren, great grandchildren as well as extended families including the Booth’s, Falaise, Theus, Clerveaux, Tyson, Tadegrin, Polynice, Brown, Jones, Sermon and Massena families.

Rev Dr. Raymond Maurice “Papa and Moy” will be sorely missed by his friends, family and all who knew him for his tireless devotion to his faith, his pursuit of knowledge, his boundless love for family and unwavering commitment to communities abroad and locally.

His legacy will continue to shine brightly in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

If You Would Like To Send A Flower Arrangement To The Service Being Held On Friday, October 11, 2024, Please Be Aware That The Deadline For Ordering Through Our Online Portal Is Wednesday, October 9, 2024, AT 2:00 PM; ANY ORDERS PLACED AFTER 10/09/2024, 2:00PM WILL NOT BE PROCESSED. 

Si w ta renmen voye yon aranjman flè nan sèvis k ap fèt vandredi 11 oktòb 2024 la, tanpri konnen dat limit pou kòmande atravè pòtal sou entènèt nou an se Mèkredi 9 oktòb 2024, A 2:00 PM; NENPÒT LÒD KI METE APRÈ 10/09/2024, 2:00PM PAP PWOSESE.

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