Alberto Robert

"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1

A time to be born... Alberto Robert, affectionately known as "Frère To," was born on February 9, 1921. His parents, Absolon and Nephtalie Robert (née Bernard), were sugar cane traders who settled in Roche-à-Bateau, Haiti shortly after his birth. Orphaned at 6 years old, he was raised by a good Samaritan, Ms. Mercilla Laroc, also known as "Granne Lormo."

A time to build up… At age 34, Frère To completed his biblical studies at École Biblique Décentralisée of the Mission Evangélique Baptiste du Sud d'Haïti (MEBSH). As a preacher, MEBSH sent him to minister in several churches in Haiti. While ministering in the most remote areas of Haiti, he observed that there was no access to healthcare. Therefore, he sought training to become a community health worker. Medicine bag in one hand and the Bible in the other, he worked to heal their bodies and souls. In his 70s, he moved to Amityville, NY and was active in ministry at Abundant Harvest Church of God in Farmingdale, NY.

A time to love…Frère To married Anne Lucine "Madame To" Robert (née Paul) on November 4, 1954. The couple were truly best friends; they talked for hours in the dark before falling asleep and prayed together three times each day.

Valuing education, he and his wife did without to pay for their children's education. As a result of their sacrifice, their 17 descendants have influenced the arts, law, medicine, finance and science and engineering at leading institutions in Canada, Haiti, and the United States of America.

Frère To considered his family his greatest blessing. He looked forward to family gatherings and always came prepared with a prayer, words of wisdom and a joke.

A time to die…Surrounded by his family, Frère To passed away due to heart disease on September 10, 2016 in Bethpage, NY. He was 95 years old.

A time to mourn…Frère To is preceded in death by his parents, brother (Emilio Robert) and two sisters (Elvire Jeune and Camy Robert).

He is survived by his wife of 62 years (Anne Lucine Robert), 6 children (Rose Alberta Boutin, Marie Arlette Robert, Enone Luce Amazan, Anne Armide Celian, Emie Morino and Albert Robert), their spouses (Pierre Emmanuel Boutin, Jean Favol Simon, Joseph Manol Amazan, Rock Evans Celian, Anthony Morino and Myrlande Robert), 14 grandchildren (Stanley Pascale Boutin, Patricia Simon, Andy Robert, Shirley Boutin, Stephanie Simon, Jessica Boutin, Keisha Marla Amazan, Paola Morino, Bradley Amazan, Sébastian Morino, Kimberly Amazan, Betsy Morino, Anne-Samuelle Celian, and Mathis Robert), 3 step-grandchildren (Robel Amazan, Maxi Amazan, Jean Fritzner Simon), 1 granddaughter in-law (Melisa Boutin), 1 great-grandchild (Langston Xavier Boutin), and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Viewing: Friday, September 16, 2016, 5 pm - 9 pm.

Funeral: Saturday, September 17, 2016, 8:30 am -11:30 am.

Location: Hollywood Full Gospel Baptist Cathedral, 3504 Great Neck Road, Amityville, NY 11701.