Jean Denis

Jean Denis (Eyap), 83, passed away on Good Friday, April 2nd, 2021 at 11:40PM at Mass General Hospital in Boston after a long courageous battle with cancer.

Eyap was born on Thursday, December 30, 1937, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti to his late parents who preceded him in death, Margueritte Marseille and Charles Denis. He had two brothers Hector Calixte and Murat Silvera, all of whom preceded him in death. He  is survived by his devoted wife Marie Laura Denis (Lolo) of 47 years, beloved daughter and son-in law, Wilhermine Denis-Destouches and husband Pierre Destouches; his beloved sons, Paul Denis; Steve Denis and his wife Kaila Denis; and cherished grandchildren, Jamarc Paul, Sanaya and Jonathan.  He also leaves behind his lone surviving sibling Marie Miracia Denis as well as his nieces and  their husbands; siblings-in-law and their spouses along with a large extended family. 

Eyap loved sports, especially soccer. At a young age, he, with a couple of friends put together their own team “Lumiere rouge”. He became so good that he got recruited by Don Bosco, a national first division team. Eyap was a very accomplished man with many interests. He was always fascinated by cars and engines. He was curious to know how they function. After graduating from high school in Haiti, he studied Auto Mechanics because of this great love of cars. He worked as a mechanic in Haiti working with industrial machinery until he came to the United States in 1975. A year later, he was joined by his wife and they settled in Cambridge where they raised a family and have remained to this day. 

As a lifelong Cantabrigian, he continued to work with industrial machines, and later worked at Cambridge Hospital until he retired in 2007. Throughout his life, Eyap kept busy with his hobby of auto mechanics such as buying cars and going to auctions. He was the local expert on all things automotive, and friends would come to him for advice on what kind of cars to purchase and for learning how to drive, things that he would always do with great pleasure. He also enjoyed watching professional wrestling and with his outgoing gregarious personality, he would always invite friends to watch with him. He loved spending time with friends and family, sharing stories, telling jokes and just having a grand old time. He was an avid reader with a thirst for knowledge.

He had a library of books, mostly relating to Biblical studies that he would share with friends and family. Ever the consummate bibliophile, he amassed many certificates of study to be an interpreter, a technician, and in many other fields.

He loved all types of music, listening and debating about politics, traveling around the U.S; talking about the Bible, and dancing.

He lived a wonderfully full life, but his greatest accomplishment was being a father. He was always there for his children through their ups and downs, and taught them to work hard, enjoy life, love others, but most of all love God, who was his driving force and passion.

He was a devoted member of Boston Missionary Baptist Church (BMBC) for 45 years. Upon relocating to the Boston area in 1976, he started attending BMBC. He quickly became a member, even though when he left Haiti he was a devout Catholic. He brought his whole family to the church as well as many friends. He was involved in various ministries such as fellowship breakfast, entertainment, finance, Usher, parking attendant, Christmas and New Year’s events, Mother’s Day Gala, Thanksgiving Turkey distribution, Harvest, etc. He contributed to the advancement of the church by  inviting many to the church who later became members. His joy was to help those in need and to love one another as is the foundational tenet of the Bible. He was an honest man,  always willing to tell the truth, even if that truth was hard to hear. He was a kind man who showed kindness to friends and strangers alike.

He was a devoted husband, caring dad and grandpa, brother, uncle, cousin and fun-loving friend.  He will be missed greatly and dearly by those he leaves behind, and the lives he touched so deeply.

Condolences go to the Denis, Destouches, Vernet, Sylvera, Prophete, Desravilles, Destine and Pierre families.

Family and Friends are kindly invited to attend the funeral at Boston Missionary Baptist Church, located at 336 Dudley Street, Roxbury MA, on Saturday, April 17 starting at 10 am. Interment to follow at Woodlawn Cemetery, 302 Elm Street, Everett

Unfortunately, due to these unprecedented times and strict guidelines by the State, Reception and Fellowship will not take place at this time.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:
Boston Missionary Baptist Church “Jean Denis Memorial Fund"
BMBC DONATION VIA GIVEPLUS + APP
APP Store OR Play Store search for "GIVEPLUS+ MOBILE" and install 
1. Search for Boston Missionary Baptist Church 
2. Your selected church will be displayed as your default church 
3. Sign in, Create an account or tap Give Now
4. Select Jean Denis Fund
 
Till we meet again Eyap!

 
Funeral of  Mr. Jean Denis will be live on Tele Louange Saturday April 17, 2021 starting 9:00 AM. You can watch it on:
Youtube
Facebook
Telelouange.com  

Tele Louange app on your device; ios / android

You can also call (605) 472-9007 to listen.