18173: (Hermantin)Miami-Herald-Talk host was voice of `People's Radio' (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: leonie hermantin <lhermantin@hotmail.com>

Posted on Fri, Jan. 30, 2004

AVENEL 'JOHNNY' CESAIRE
Talk host was voice of `People's Radio'
BY KATHLEEN FORDYCE
kfordyce@herald.com

Avenel ''Johnny'' Cesaire used his local radio show to try to unite the
Haitian community and promote the fight for democracy in Haiti.

Cesaire, 50, known to his audience as Pere Johnny, died of pancreatic cancer
on Jan. 19 -- the day dedicated to his idol, Martin Luther King Jr.

''His dream was to see all Haitians equal,'' said Cesaire's wife, Winnifred.
``He wanted to take care of all Haitian people.''

Cesaire was born Oct. 3, 1953, in Haiti, where he was one of 11 children.

In 1979 he moved to Florida, settling in North Miami. While taking classes
at Miami-Dade College, he met his future wife. The couple married in 1982
and have two children, John and Joann.

Cesaire took a communications class at Miami-Dade that led to a career on
the radio. For 17 years, he was the voice behind People's Radio on WLQY-AM
(1320).

''He had an open talk show so that people could call and voice their
opinion,'' Winnifred Cesaire said. ``He has a very captivating voice.''

Longtime friend state Rep. Philip Brutus, D-North Miami, agreed.

''He was able to get people to call in and voice their opinions,'' Brutus
said.

Cesaire did more than talk on the radio. He helped Haitian migrants become
U.S. citizens and encouraged them to register as voters.

Cesaire also tried to help those in Haiti, where he funded and organized the
building of a hotel to generate jobs, his wife said. The opening was
scheduled for this month, but has been delayed, the family said.

''He was such a giving person,'' said his niece, Raymonde Pierre. ``He had a
good heart and gave not only to his family but with the Haitian community,
too.''

In addition to his wife and niece, Cesaire is survived by his son, John;
daughter Joann; sisters Kettely, Miracia, Isema and Florida Cesaire; and
brothers Rock, Bony, Mira, Fritzner and Wilson Cesaire.

Visitation will be 6 to 10 tonight at Lithgow Funeral Home, 15011 W. Dixie
Hwy., North Miami. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Holy Family
Catholic Church, at 14500 NE 11th Ave.

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