Obituary of Roger Simon Joseph

Roger S. Joseph was born in Haiti, in the West Indies on July 30 1920. He emigrated in the United States with his family and lived in New York until his death on May 09 2020. In Haiti, Mr. Roger as he liked to be called worked as a journalist for the newspaper, “Le Matin” until he founded his own newspaper, “Le Promontoire.” He travelled to Paris & Brussels in Europe, to Lima, Peru, and to Ethiopia in Africa to cover stories for his newspaper. Within days of arriving in New York, and not speaking any English, Mr. Roger was able to enroll all 4 of his children in school with the help of a family member as he was a big believer in education. He would say “with education you can be and do anything you like to be and do.” Subsequently, he became a Community Activist at Midwest Side Community in Manhattan, helping the Haitian community to have a voice. He also was involved in finding summer jobs for the inner-city kids so they can become educated and “follow the right path in life” as he put it. Well into his 80’s, he was still publishing articles for his newspaper. He loved to write, and well into his 90th year, he loved walking the boardwalk at Coney Island where he lived before entering a nursing facility where his favorite past time was to dress up in his suit and white shirt to watch his favorite show “Meet the Press” on NBC, on Sunday mornings, all animated with the political discussions. One of his decadent pleasures was a “McDonald’s Happy meal”, so if you went to see him with a McDonald’s bag in-hand, he would have a huge smile on his face which means you made his day. Mr. Roger was also a “Venerable Maitre” to the Masonic Lodge he belonged to, and was looking forward to his 100th birthday in July 2020. He was preceded in death by his wife Marie T. Fong, his sister Ulda Joseph, mother Alice, father Esrom Simon, and son-in-law Horace McDonald. He is survived by his nephew Ernst Joseph, his four Children, Renee Etheart (Eric), Monique Joseph McDonald, Mona Joseph-Scott (Anthony), Pierre Joseph (Christine); his step-Daughter Danielle Dujour Longo and her daughter Guilia; his Grandson Jonathan Etheart (Tamika), and brand new 9-day old great grand-daughter Avery Michelle Etheart, and a host of nieces and nephews and other friends. Due to the current health Crisis COVID-19, there will be no funeral services and burial will be private. His final resting place is at Pinelawn Cemetery in Farmingdale, Long Island.