It is with deep and heavy sadness that we announce the passing of Bernadotte “Dotte” Larosilière on May 19, 2017. Dotte was born in Les Cayes, Haiti on July 5,1931, the only son of Lamercie Acao and Ephraim Larosilière. He graduated from Lycée Phillipe Guerrier and later earned a law degree from La Faculté de Droit de Port-au-Prince.
In 1956, Dotte married Lucitania (Lucie) St. Dic and that union gave birth to five children: Rose, Louis, Elizabeth, Jean-Darly, and Karine. In addition, Dotte had two other loving daughters, Dominique and Gina. Dotte had Patrick and Sabine from a subsequent union.
Dotte contributed to his community in various responsible roles as educator, accountant, businessman and civil servant. He began his professional life as a school teacher and later rose to the position of headmaster at Lycée Toussaint Louveture. To accommodate his growing family, Dotte accepted a civil servant post as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Régie du Tabac (Haitian Tobacco Board) where he worked until 1967 when he immigrated to the United States. Two years later he reunited with his family in New York City. Dotte subsequently relocated to Boston with his wife Lucie to raise their five children.
In 1980, pulled by his unending love for his homeland, Dotte returned to Haiti and accepted the post of CFO at the Haitian Treasury. Shortly thereafter, he was appointed to the Permanent Election Commission (CEP) where he served as treasurer for several years. Dotte retired from professional life as CEO of the Haitian National Retirement Insurance Company (L’Office National d’Assurance-Vieillesse (ONA)).
Throughout his life, Dotte strived to conduct himself with dignity, honor and compassion for his neighbor. His incomparable generosity towards family, friends and “everyman” in times of dire need was legendary. Dotte would give-up all his comfort for a stranger if required. He was “a Man for Others” in the great Jesuit tradition. Dotte loved life and lived it to the fullest-- a true “bon vivant”.
Dotte is survived by his nine children: Dr. Rose Cluny César & her husband Jocelin of South Deerfield, Dr. Louis Marie Larosilière & his wife Isabel of Pennsylvania, Elizabeth Larosilière Lefèvre of Boston, Jean Darly Larosilière & his wife Sandra of Vermont, Dominique Cameau Clément of Haiti, Geneviève Karine Ernest & her husband Emmanuel of Milton, Dr. Patrick Larosilière, Gina Victorin & her husband Garry of North Carolina, and Dr. Sabine Larosilière.
Dotte is also survived by his surrogate children, Phanor Larosilière and Wilbert Larosilière of New York, Marie Beda of Canada and Evelyne César of Florida. Dotte had eighteen grand children: Darline Lefèvre, Richard César, Toussaint Larosilière, Justin Ernest, Sebastien Clément, Jeanette Larosilière, Christian Ernest, Oliver César, Jenifer Clément, Geneviève Lefèvre, Celina Larosilière, Sabrina Victorin, Mathew Larosilière, Vladimir Victorin, Benjamin Ernest, Louis Larosilière, Jean-Dotte Larosilière, and Laurence Larosilière. Two brothers: Phares Larosilière and spouse Benicile Rosier; Benoit Larosilière and spouse Avelina. Two sisters: Clèmène Gracia and spouse John; and Bertha Masse. His cherished godson Ruddy Jeune. Dotte is also survived by countless nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends residing in the US, Haiti, Canada and Europe which apologetically are too numerous to list.
In addition to his father and mother, Dotte was preceded in death by his two brothers Jean Larosilière and Dieudone Larosilière.
We thank God for the gift of his life, the blessings of the time we spent with him, and the fond memories that will comfort us until we are reunited again in Christ.
Visitation will be held on Friday, May 26th from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Alfred Thomas Funeral Home in Milton. The funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, May 27, 2017 at Saint Agatha’s Roman Catholic Church, Milton. Rev. Junior Phares Larosilière of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Dotte’s beloved nephew, will be officiating. Burial will follow immediately after the services.