Nerva Francois Cassion (Papa Nerva, Couillon, Maitre la) took his last breath on April 21st, 2020 after battling a long illness. He was born in St. Felix, a small town in the southern part of Haiti. He was the son of the late Leon Cassion and the late Aline Valcin. A devoted husband of 55 years to Marie Andree (Dede) Barthelemy-Cassion, a proud father to Nadine Cassion-Joseph, Myrna Cassion, Carly Cassion-Morin, and Marie Andree Cassion-Francois. A loving Brother to Antonio Boyard. A caring grandfather to the late Bianka Marva Joseph, Christian Bernard Joseph, Mikayla Pascale Julien, Brinley Noah Joseph, Ysabella Anais Francois, Jayden Joly and Jhiovanny Nerva Francois. He was father in law to Luckner (Lucky) Joseph and Jhonny Francois. He was like a brother to his brother and sister in laws, Jean Barthelemy, Fritz Barthelemy, Lionel Barthelemy, Max Barthelemy, Guy Barthelemy, Reynold Barthelemy, Romain Apollon and his late brother and sister in law Roosvelt Barthelemy and Lamercie B. Guillaume. He was like a second father to his sister in law and God daughter Leda Barthelemy Jean. He had a special relationship with his mother in law, Gaga. He is predeceased by his brother Gerard Jason, Fritz Cassion, Anthony Cassion and Ghislaine Cassion. He is additionally survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, God children, extended family members and countless friends.
Nerva Francois Cassion was an alumnus of Frere Odile and Lycee Phillipe Guerrier of les Cayes and alumnus of Ecole de Droit de Jeremie. He was a distinguished attorney in his beloved Les Cayes, Haiti. He immigrated to the United States with his family in the early 80’s and settled in Boston, MA. He was passionate about law and Justice. He was an influential member of several human rights group in Haiti and believed in giving a voice to the voiceless several organizations close to his heart were Rotary Club of Les Cayes, Rosicrucians Order, and Chamber of Commerce of Les Cayes. He took extreme pride in teaching and mentoring the next generation of lawyers. He was an avid reader, an articulate speaker, he enjoyed acting, dancing, eating but had a special thing for Tom Tom. He always made time for family and friends. He was a jokester, who loved life. Nerva will be fondly remembered by family and friends for his humor, his contagious smile, his big heart and his bigger than life personality. He was the patriarch of our family and his passing has placed a huge void in our lives. The tears are endless but the memories and laughter he has left behind will give us strength to endure this big loss. Rest in peace, you will be missed. Due to safety concerns a virtual service will take place, and a memorial mass will be celebrated at a later time.