Cime Jacquet
Our Island Will Miss Cime Jacquet
Haiti lost a beloved citizen, family man and well-known ''cabbie'' earlier this month. We sadly say goodbye to Cime Jacquet, 76, lifelong resident of Fonds-Parisien. Mr. Jacquet passed away peacefully at home on May 2.
Mr. Jacquet will be sorely missed, not just by his sons, daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren; but just about everyone else who knew the kind, affectionate man with the winning smile and big heart. A legend in his own right, if Mr. Jacquet himself was not instantly recognizable, his ``bus'' surely was, a converted truck that he operated for more than 50 years across every road and back road on our beautiful island.
Mr. Jacquet was seen daily behind the wheel of ``La Belle Fonds-Parisienne'', the bright and colorful bus that transported everyone from tourists and residents; and everything from bananas and chickens -- often at the same time -- back and forth.
``Usually when they had the Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Cime gave everyone a free ride to go there,'' said his daughter, Melissa Marseile, now a nurse practicing in Ramsey, New York. ``Everyone used to say, `Long live Cime Jacquet!'''
Devoted to raising his children, he leaves behind many first- and second-generation descendants who include doctors, lawyers, nurses, engineers and, of course, several drivers who will continue to navigate Haiti's roads in the famous ``La Belle Fonds-Parisienne.''
Mr. Jacquet's son, Jackson, an electronic engineer, installed a state-of-the-art sound system in La Belle Fonds-Parisienne. Result?
Compas music often boomed loudly from La Belle Fonds-Parisienne, turning everyone into an instinctive dancer, even those who would ordinarily prefer not to. It did not matter; Mr. Jacquet had a way of bringing out the best in everyone and uniting people in their common humanity. The pleasant beat not only entertained, but had the added benefit of drowning out less desirable noise, such as a bum muffler, squalling children or squawking chickens.
Although weather or other conditions could be sometimes be unfavorable, with overcrowding or little children sticking their hands in sugar supplies, for instance, most passengers have only fond memories of the many rides.
Mr. Jacquet knew every inch of the island, and somehow seemed to almost magically overcome obstacles that others may not have dared if, say, he had a tourist running late for the airport. He knew the quickest routes in and out of places as well as the scenic drives for those who wanted to take in the splendor of our island's beautiful beaches, palm trees, and crystal blue Lake Azuie.
``I remember when I was a child, we walked two miles to go to Cime Jacquet's house to get the bus,'' said Br. Wilgintz Polynice SDB. When Br. Wilgintz (now a seminary student in New Jersey) arrived with his brothers and sisters at Mr. Jacquet's home, they were greeted with surprise. ``He said, `What's the matter with you? You didn't have to come here to take the bus,'' said Br. Wilgintz. ``He said he would have picked us up at home.''
But the Polynice children knew better. The kids knew how crowded the bus got, and that their chance of climbing aboard was better if they trekked the first two miles on foot. Not a bad trade-off, considering they could then ride the bus for the rest of the 45- minute journey to Port-Au- Prince.
Mr. Jacquet often made many stops along the way to Port-Au-Prince, carrying people and cargo as he negotiated rocky roads and Haiti's many hills, one hand behind the wheel, the other waving to nearly everyone because nearly everyone knew him and waved and smiled first.
Polynice's Agency misses you Mr. Cime Jacquet. You and your family are in our prayers we are proud of you. May God keep you safe.
Funeral services were held at St. Joseph's Church in Fonds-Parisien, where Mr. Jacquet was a lifelong communicant. Although many of his children and grandchildren have moved away, Mr. Jacquet himself never set foot off the island.