Obituary of Michel Barbier

Virtual Visitation Link - Click Here

Born November 8, 1929 in La Colline Vieux-Bourg Aquin, a small town in the southern region of Haiti, Michel was the second of the two children born to Madeleine Boisrond and Philocles Barbier. He was fortunate to come of age during a time when young boys, in particular, were instilled with responsibility, discipline, a strong work ethic and deep faith in God, virtues that would serve him well throughout his life as henavigated the many challenges and trials in his journey.

His early education took place at the Brothers of St Isodore in his hometown where he completed middle school. He also served as an altar boy at the local parish until the age of sixteen when he migrated to Leogane to join his older sister Carmen, a young and aspiring teacher at the Sacred Heart nuns’ school. It was there that he came under the mentorship of Moise St Louis, widely regarded as one of the finest mechanical engineers in the country at the time. Under his tutelage Michel rose to become a highly regarded master mechanic of the region. At 25, he married Christiana Geneus, and the two built a life together spanning 36 years until she preceded him in November 1992.

Michel known to all as Chocho came to the United States in 1965, sent for his beloved wife in 1969 together they welcome their children in 1971. In the years that followed, he worked tirelessly many trades before ultimately setting up his own mechanic shop where for 25 years family members, friends and strangers alike traveled from New York city’s five boroughs, New Jersey and Connecticut area to seek out his services. He cared deeply for his craft and for the people he served. His motto in life said it simply: “Treat people as you would like to be treated, treat them with kindness and respect, they will respond in kind”

He is lovingly remembered by his five children: Micheline, Alan, Eddy, Judith and Michelle; 15 grandchildren, and 12 great grandchildren and a wide circle of extended family and dear friends. Chocho would want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Nadege, Risa, Jonas and Giscard who steadfastly provided the loving care and special attention when his health was failing him particularly in the last two years. The family joins him in echoing the same sentiment wholeheartedly.

The family takes comfort in the memories they shared with him, the enduring values he passed on to us; though he will be deeply missed, his love, sacrifice and lessons will remain forever engraved in our hearts.