Felix Depeine

Felix (Fefe, Papi) was Born on May 24, 1937, to Nicanor Depeine and 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 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 Marie Anne Neptune. They got married 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, Felix was the director of a center for children, called Le Centre D’Accueil - the Welcome Center. That was a boy’s place for homeless or orphaned children. That was his last position before he left for the United States.

Nicanor Depeine, also known as Père Canne, was a cabinet maker. Felix 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 his wife and children 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 company, named Mastocraft Woodworking Company.

Felix dabbled in the culinary arts. He made the family some great breakfast foods like scrambled eggs and bacon. But who knew? Who knew that Felix 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 was always made generous portions.

Felix 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. Felix was also a soccer fan. He took his children to see the legendary soccer player Pelé at the former Giants Stadium, now Met Life Stadium. He even watched some tennis when Presly and Mario got into tennis. He saw Arthur Ashe (on TV) when he played professionally.

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

In his spare time, Felix 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 also a father to many nieces and nephews as well.

Felix is survived by his five children, Presly, Mario and wife Lavern, Magalie and husband Will, Carline and husband Eddie, and Katty and husband Eric;

his grandchildren, Arielle, Catherine, Mario, Jr, Kestly, Jenny, Tatiana,

Dominick, 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!

973-216-7639