Rony Exantus

Rony Exantus, also known as Nelio, to those who knew him best was born on April 27, 1959, in Marchand-Dessalines, Haiti to Celamise Petitbosse and the late Manasse Exantus. He was the third of eight children, having three brothers and four sisters. He attended primary school in Marchand-Dessalines at L’ecole Jacques Premier and later went to secondary school in Port-au-Prince. He had a great passion for learning and passed this on to his children. He was raised in the catholic church and accepted Jesus, Christ as his Savior.

In 1979, he married his childhood sweetheart, Evena Simeon. The two shared a forty-two year-long union, an exceptional feat that not even his passing can break. As their love is one that will stand for eternity. From their union, three children were born, Mario, Nadin and Gloria. In 1981, he and his family migrated to France and then in 1985 to the United States in search of a better life. This decision proved to be advantageous not only for his immediate family but for countless others.  In 2011, they were blessed with two more children, Lourde and Claire.  In his later years, he spent lots of time with grandchildren, who he adored, traveling to Haiti, enjoying conversation with friends and family, and planting in his garden.

Rony was a jovial man; always with a smile on his face and always making jokes. He was courageous, brave and humble.  He was a wonderful husband, a great father, an exceptional grandfather and a loyal friend who was appreciated by all for his wisdom, honesty and compassion. Rony’s family is eternally grateful to God for granting us sixty-two years with him.

It saddens our family to announce the passing of Mr. Rony “Nelio” Exantus. It still feels unbelievably strange confounding these words, because like many of you know, this news was so unexpected. Rony was strong and resilient, and we would have never predicted it would come to this ending.  Rony was so special to us. In many ways, he was an abundance of light that surrounded our lives, with his charismatic personality and unmatched kind spirit. He brought nothing but joy and laughter into our world. We feel beyond grateful to have had the chance to be immersed in his presence and are comforted that his faith and good heart has granted him a place in Heaven.

Rony will always be with us in our memories and in spirit. He has now been liberated by God. Rony will be remembered forever by his loving wife and best friend of over forty years Evena, sons Mario, and Nadin and Nadin’s wife Saweda and their children Aaden, Avalynn, and Anderson, his daughters Gloria, Claire, and Lourde, his mother Celamise, as well as his siblings, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Rest in Peace Nelio! We will never forget you because you will forever be in our hearts!

Take flight. The journey doesn’t end here…

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