Antonio P Perpignant (102) entered into eternal rest on April 4, 2020 passing peacefully at his home in Brockton, MA. He was a loving father who endured many hardships in his life. My father was born in Petion-ville, Haiti on March 16, 1918. He grew up during the US occupation of Haiti. He was a hard worker and entrepreneur. Upon completing his education he worked in a factory making door and living room mattes. He soon became president of the factory. Living in Haiti during the Duvalier regime was not easy. Antonio and many of siblings were was forced into exile in secrecy. Antonio escaped into the Dominican Republic while the Papa Doc Duvalier regime was in power.
I was 4 years old when my dad escaped that terrible regime. When I turned 18 and old enough to travel, I desperately needed to see my father. I decided to go to the DR to look for him. A Dominican class mate of mine was heading to the DR for vacation, we traveled together. I found my father, when he saw me and I laid eyes on him he said what a miracle that brought you here. We kept in touch.
When the Duvalier regime collapsed in 1986 my father returned back to Haiti. He attended my wedding in 1987 in the US. We were thrilled to have him there. In 1994 he suggested to me if my wife and I have a boy he will come to live in the states. When my wife got pregnant and I told him it was a boy he was elated. I quickly sent him a plane ticket to come meet and be with his grandson Karlee H. And as he promised, lived with us in MA.
My father Antonio was a good sport, he would go to the senior center and do his exercises twice a week, he would not miss a class nor would he miss a beat. Antonio lived a full, enjoyable, and peaceful Christian life. He left us at the age of 102 years, battling Lung cancer.
Antonio is survived by his two sons George H and Pierre, and his daughter Marie Mireille a granddaughter Marilyn G and grandson Karlee H. And also (grand)nieces and (grand)nephews of the Perpignant family: Richard, Weber, Roudy, Haldo, Allen, Briana, Gladys, Micheline Moliere, Lourdes, Marlene.
Following Cremation, Services will be held at the convenience of the family.