Jean L. Ferdinand

Jean L. Ferdinand, age 77, of South Holland, IL passed away Tuesday, December 11, 2018.  Beloved husband of Maria Sonia Ferdinand.  Loving father of Sherilyn (Jashley) Baptiste and Kathlyn Ferdinand.  Dear brother of Viltaire Marseille.  Visitation, Wednesday, December 19, 2018 from 3:00 - 8:00 P.M. at Smits Funeral Home, 649 E. 162nd St. (Rt.6/159th St.) South Holland, IL.  Funeral Service Thursday, December 20, 2018 at 10:00 A.M. at Holy Temple Cathedral Church, 15912 Lincoln Ave., Harvey, IL 60426. Burial will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery in Calumet City, IL.  A repast will be held back at Holy Temple Cathedral Church after the burial services.

Jean Laborde Ferdinand was born in Mirebalais, Haiti on November 4, 1941. He was the son of Therése Benite and Macci Ferdinand. Surrounded by his family, Jean passed away at home in South Holland, IL on December 11, 2018.

Jean was the second oldest of his mother’s four children. He always had a passion for education and business. In his early adult years, he was an entrepreneur alongside his mother and traded goods such as mahogany wood. Later, Jean took over his brother’s position as a mathematics professor at Smith Deplessie in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

In 1978, Jean began a new chapter and moved to Chicago, IL. He attended Malcolm X College and graduated with a degree in Radiology. Jean met Maria Sonia Evangelista in 1979. The two married on July 2, 1983 in Chicago. Together, they had two daughters Sherilyn and Kathlyn Marie. To him, family was one of the most important parts of his life that gave him great pride and purpose.

Jean was a dedicated hard worker and a trusted colleague, mentor, and friend. He would often say, “You have to sweat to eat your bread”. Which was his paraphrase of Genesis 3:19 (NIV). Jean retired from the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in 2012 after 25 years of service. He continued to work at Advocate Trinity Hospital part-time until 2017 at 75 years old.

He will always be remembered for his contagious laughter and humorous spirit.