Felix Depeine

Felix “Papi” (Fefe) was Born on May 24, 1937, to Grandpa, Nicanor Depeine and Grandma, Maria Etienne in Jeremie, Haiti. He completed his elementary schooling there but did his secondary education at the Lycée Anténor Firmin, in Port Au Prince, Haiti. He was a serious math student while at school. So much so that he tutored others. He tutored many students, including our Uncles Guy and Henry, and some of our older cousins who attended schools in Haiti.

 As a young man in Haiti, he met our mom Marie Anne Neptune. They got married in 1960, and had 5 children together: Presly, Mario, Magalie, Carline, and Katty (US). The family lived in Delmas, and then Carrefour, in walking distance from the beach and Cine Krik Krak, movie theatre!

 In Haiti, Papi was the director of a center for children, called Le Centre D'Accueil - the Welcome Center. That was a boy's home for homeless or orphaned children. That was Papi's last position before he left for the United States.

 Grandpa, also known as Père Canne, was a cabinet maker. Papi learned that skill from him. He didn't work full time at it in Haiti but only built furniture to earn extra income. When companies came looking for skilled

 tradespeople in Haiti, he had the opportunity to show his ebeniste, cabinet-making skills. He earned a visa to the United States by crafting a beautiful piano top. About a year later, he sent for Mammie (mom) and my siblings to live with him. While in the United States, he worked with Interstate Showcase Furniture Company for many years until he ventured out and started his own cabinet making business, named Mastocraft Woodworking Company.

 Papi loved a great meal and dabbled in the culinary arts. He made the family some great breakfast foods like scrambled eggs and bacon. But who knew? Who knew that Papi could cook some great Haitian delicacies, like GRIOT (grilled pork)! He made diri ak djon djon (rice with black mushroom. He also made diri ak pois Congo rice with Congo beans). He loved sharing his special platters with anyone who had a taste for them. And he always made generous portions.

 Papi loved going on cruises and had a great sense of adventure. He visited the pyramids in Tulum, Mexico. He's experienced the boat locks in the Panama Canal. He even jumped from the cliffs in Belize - Zip line. He walked through the rain forest of Puerto Rico. He loved the beaches of Saint Thomas, Saint Lucia, Aruba, Curacao and more.

 Papi was a diehard Knicks fan. He saw the Knicks win their second NBA Championship in 1973. He would have loved to see them win this 2026 NBA championship, after 53 years. Papi was also a soccer fan. He took us to see the legendary soccer player Pelé at the former Giants Stadium (Met Life).

 You couldn't talk about who wants to be president or governor, without hearing what Papi thought about that candidate. He loved to get into political discussions and what he thought would make the city, state or country a better place. He was an avid listener of radio news. 1010 Wins News was one of his favorites: "You give us 22 minutes; we'll give you the world!" He also watched the news nightly to keep up with the current events.

 Some other ways Papi used his time: He listened to music in his car, just chilling! He was always helping someone with a home improvement project; new kitchen, new floors, cabinets, you name it! He was  a second father to many nieces and nephews as well.

 Papi and Mom got separated and later divorced in the late 1980s. After quite a while, Papi met Kately Jerome. He had a lasting relationship with her, up until he suffered his major stroke in June 2016.

  Papi is survived by his partner, Kately, his many brothers and sisters, his five children; Presly, Mario and wife Lavern, Magalie and husband Will, Carline and husband Eddie, and Katty and husband Eric; his grandchildren, Arielle, Jeremy, Joshua, Catherine, Mario Jr, Kestly, Jenny, Tatiana, Matthew, Nathaniel, Dominic, Daniel, Deija, Florisel, Giselle, and Christopher; his great grandchildren; Mahina, Malia, Tahira, Cieran, Ava, Emme, Melody, Milan, Leilani Rose, and Joel.

 We love you and will always miss you Papi!