Rupert Augustin Fontenelle

On March 27, 1945, Rupert Augustin Fontenelle (also affectionately known as Rup and Poppi) was born to St. Martin and Elnora Fontenelle in the small town of Laborie, St. Lucia, West Indies. He was the youngest of his 3 siblings, Eric, Riel and Swins.

The family migrated to New York in April of 1949. Rupert attended St. John the Baptist Grammar School and graduated from Wingate High School class of 1962. Rupert obtained his bachelor's degree in accounting from Brooklyn College in 1967. He then was employed as an accountant with IBM for 10 years until the real estate bug bit him, hard! Over the next 40 years, Rupert was a very successful entrepreneur in the real estate business. Rupert was a perfectionist in his craft. He also was heavily invested in the stock market to which became his daily passion along with his African movies!

Aside from his career, Rupert was a gifted artist and a jack of all trades. He was an electrician, skilled in plumbing, painting, masonry and so much more. He was extremely generous to numerous charities and to those in need. Rupert set exemplary standards for his children and grandchildren to be successful in life through his examples of hard work, dedication, strong family values and having a love for our Lord.

He met his loving wife of 55 years, Clarice, in 1964 in Brooklyn, New York. For Clarice it was love at first sight as she watched him shoveling the snow on her street. After being introduced by her niece Lucille, they enjoyed getting to know each other, going to basement parties, taking long walks on Eastern Parkway, and trips to the movies. Like all great love stories there were some bumps along the way. While they broke up for a year and a half, their love was meant to be, and they reconnected in October of 1966. They married in January of 1969, began their lives together, and started their family. 

Under Rupert's senior picture, in his yearbook, he stated he wanted "To be rich." Rupert was rich indeed, rich in the love he had from his family! In departing this earth to be in Heaven he leaves to mourn, his amazing wife of 55 years, Clarice. His daughter Michelle, her husband, Randy, their children, Joshua and Jeremiah; his daughter, Sharon, her husband, Brian, their children, Bryce, Brandon, Lexi and Sydney; his daughter, Renee and her children, Katelyn, Kristia, Mackenzie, Madison and Drake; son Andre, his wife, Lucy, and their son Elias, son Pierre, and two great grandchildren, Liam and Eden. Rupert is survived by his brother, Swins and a host of nieces, nephews, in laws, family, and friends.