Thomas "Toto" Duchatellier

Thomas (Toto) Duchatellier was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on June 11, 1932 to Rock and Armande Duchatellier. He completed his primary education to the 6th grade (Certificate), but the bad economic situation halted his education there. He sacrificed his dream of becoming an Engineer to help his mother care for his siblings so they could continue with their education. As a young adult, he worked as a Taxi Driver (Chauffeur La Ligne) on the Lalue – Bourdon – Petionville route. He also worked on various Governmental road construction projects throughout Haiti. That is why he knew almost every corner of Haiti. He also enlisted in the Haitian Military for some time. Interesting enough, Toto also mentioned that at some point in his life, he wanted to be a priest. In the mid to late 1960’s, when he finally realized Haiti did not have much to offer him, his wife and his children (seven at that point), he started taking on dangerous adventures so he could support his family. He managed to save some money to take care of his next dangerous and adventurous idea. Along with many other struggling young Haitians, he embarked on a wooden boat heading to the Bahamas Islands for work, where he remained for about two years. At that time, it became difficult to find work for Haitians, so he embarked on his journey back to Haiti. Unfortunately, their boat capsized and many of the passengers drowned, but resilient Toto saved himself on a piece of plank from the destroyed boat. He landed on a small, deserted island for 3 days until word got out that the boat never made it. Along with some other passengers, he was rescued and returned to Haiti. While in Haiti, he traveled regularly to the Dominican Republic which allowed him to also learn to speak Spanish. A few years later, with the help of his sister, Marie Claire Joseph, Toto traveled to the United States. Soon after, he asked his loving wife (Queen) Elisabeth to join him. Immediately after he obtained his US Green Card, he filed for all of his children to join him in Brooklyn, NY. Being a very smart and disciplined individual, he picked up the trade of fixing cars from his cousin Carlo Duchatellier and taught some of his children how to fix cars as well. In addition, he was very handy and believe he could fix any mechanical or electrical device – from a boiler to a refrigerator. After he bought his first home in Queens, NY in 1976, he did all the fixing and repairs that his new home needed while earning extra income from repairs he provided for other homeowners. He worked as a Factory Machine operator in New York and New Jersey for many years before the factory shut down. He wanted to continue his education and earned his GED and began taking college courses at York College in Jamaica, NY. He then became a school bus driver and subsequently retired in 1997. Upon his retirement, he moved to Ocala, FL. Because he loved to work and stay busy, he came out of retirement and continued to work as a School Bus Driver for several more years and officially retired again at the age of 82. While in Florida, he also became a Real Estate investor which he loved. Mr. Disciplined, Toto, taught us one great thing: “As long as we continue to go to school, we can stay in his home for ever and he would provide room and board. But the moment we stop going to school, then we need to go to work”. Thomas is survived by one sibling, his brother, Yvon; and was preceded in death by his sisters Fifi, Jacqueline and Marie Claire, sons Thomas, Jr (Tony) and Clarens.Thomas is also survived by his beautiful and loving wife Elisabeth Solomon Duchatellier, his daughters Marie Sonie Duchatellier, Nancy Duchatellier Napoleon (spouse: Serge), Marie Guercy Duchatellier, Madeleine Duchatellier Smith (spouse: Carlton), his sons David Duchatellier (spouse: Marie Josie), Martial Duchatellier (spouse: Cheryl), Jacques Duchatellier, Jean Duchatellier (spouse: Ravene), Fritz Duchatellier (spouse: Marla), and Tristan Duchatellier. Thomas is also survived by his grandchildren Steeve, Eric, Melissa, Julissa, Christine, Chelsie, Bianca, Breanna, Anthony, Jimmy, Jay, Shamel, Kaevon, Tristan, Jr. (TJ), Jean, Jr. (JJ), and great-grandson Noah and several nieces and nephews. May Our Lord Accept Our Loving Dad in His Forever Kingdom.

Thomas "Toto" Duchatellier

June 11, 1932 - November 3, 2024