Giordani Etienne, 86

Giordani Etienne aka Papy Jo/ Chief was born March 6, 1934 to Rock Etienne & Berthe Perard. He is survived by five sisters: Rose, Evelyn, Margaret, Yollette and Immaculene, also four brothers Fritz, Arnold, Jimmy and Rocky. He is preceded in death by his younger brother J.C.

Papy is survived by 3 children from his first marriage to Rosette Paul and together they had three children: Betty (John Spouse), Frantz (Jacci Spouse), and Dimitri. His second marriage to Gladys Vilmenay produced two children Jeff (Patricia Spouse) and Dannie (Zachary Spouse). Altogether he has five children, seventeen grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

After his distinguished service in the Haitian Air Force, he came to the United Stated in 1969 in search of better opportunities, working different jobs while putting himself through school to ultimately achieve his accounting degree. He landed an accounting job at Chase Manhattan Bank where through hard work, he ascended to the position of manager, overseeing multi-million dollar transactions daily.

After 25 years he was forced into early retirement because of health issues, but he wouldn’t let that hold him back. He later went on to manage providence care, a family business, for a few years. Later he took a job for several years to serve his community as a school crossing officer which he thoroughly enjoyed. The parents and the children knew him by name. The safety of those children were important to him. After his final retirement he would often reward himself by returning to his native country Haiti for 2 months during the summer.

He took pride in all his jobs and lived by the principles to always strive to do your best in all jobs and at every level. As a husband, a father, a brother, a friend and business man…He will be missed.

Condolences may be sent to the family at Gentry-Morrison Funeral Homes.