Mr. Horace Michael Gittens

Horace Gittens died on February 3, 2018 at age 87. He was born in Trinidad, West Indies. He grew up with his mother Gladys Gittens and cared for her with love and endless support, building her the home she lived in and making numerous sacrifices to ensure that she was always safe and never without food or drink. To take care of those obligations, something had to give, and that was Horace's education. He managed to make it through fourth grade, though Horace came across as smart and learned via self-education, determination, eloquence, articulation, and untapped intellectual gifts. Had Horace been able to educate himself, he would have been a successful attorney, maybe even a member of the Supreme Court. He was quite proud of his analytical and reasoning capabilities. Horace had an enviable work ethic. While working around attorneys and judges as a clerk in the major legal building in Trinidad (the Red House) he also worked in the hotel and restaurant industry. When necessary, he traveled to other West Indian islands for employment as new hotels were built or when work was hard to find in Trinidad. In 1969, when the opportunity to come to America as a permanent resident arose, Horace embraced all that his new home offered. As a resident in Milwaukee, he worked initially as a baker, then in the hotel business, and finally, supplemented his income working nights at A.O. Smith Foundry. His biggest challenge and personal achievements were opening two restaurants that specialized in West Indian cuisine. His success was evident through various awards given to him for his skills and being sought after to cook at events like Milwaukee's Summerfest. He was proud to become a naturalized U.S. citizens in 1989. Horace was a family man. He adored and was devoted to his wife, Rita, working alongside her in their restaurants, saving to live the American dream of home ownership, and supporting his family. He was a devoted father, contributing financially and emotionally to educate his children and to ensure that his daughters' educational pursuits from high school to graduate school were realized. He provided emotional support for his children and nurtured a spiritual growth within the family by example. He never tired of trying to motivate his offsprings to be the best they could be and to remember that doing the right thing is always the right thing. Horace was a community man. He and his wife were immersed in their church, St. Martin DePorres and the various activities that helped its members bond and improve community life. He was a leader in that arena, with the congregation looking forward to his singing regularly during Sunday Mass. He sang at many funerals and brought joy to several weddings, including those of two nephews John and Justin McCareins. Horace earned a special place in the hearts of the parish priests at St. Martin De Porres, for whom he cooked from time to time. They learned to love West Indian cooking! Horace was also involved in the West Indies Association and was a Master Mason in the Martin Luther King Jr. Lodge No. 7 in Milwaukee and Lodge No. 29 in Chandler, Arizona. The organizations were dedicated to leading and improving the quality of life for inner city youth and communities, conducting and promoting programs and activities that focused on academic achievement, economic development, health and wellness, and self-esteem through mentoring. One cannot convey who Horace Gittens was without mentioning his outgoing personality, his love for socializing, his party planning capabilities, his storytelling, and the joy he got from hanging with a special group of friends, playing cards and having fun over a drink or two. His infectious smile in unforgettable! Demanding respect from others was very important to Horace. He quite often said: "People don't have to like me, but they darn well better respect me." He lived what those words connote at every stage of his life. He embodied a great spirit and love that ignited others. As illness broke his physical being, mentally, he simple never gave up! He was always hopeful and never lamented the things he was unable to do based on the cards he was dealt in life. That was inspiring to observe and a gift to others who interacted with him, especially me, his niece Alicia McCareins. Knowing him was a gift I am grateful for and always will treasure. In addition to his wife, Rita, Horace is preceded in death by his mother Gladys Gittens and father Boyse; his son, Anthony Gittens; his daughter Joanne Jackson; his brother Merton Gittens; his sister Violet Contastie; his brother-in-law George Contastie; his niece Jean Donaldson; and his nephew Marcus Gittens. Those who will mourn Horace's passing but cherish his involvement in their lives include daughters Natasha Gittens and Sherelan Thomas; stepdaughters Lystra Carrington and Marcia Rosales; stepsons Kelvin Rosales and Michael Rosales; sister Leomie Gittens; brother Herbert Bramothe; grandsons Blake and Tyler Jackson and Mitch Jackson; granddaughters Chapman Jackson and Ryan Jackson; nephew Keith (Brenda) Gittens; son-in-law Frank Jackson; nieces Marvar Midgeley, Brenda Renaud, Joan Gadd, Jennifer (Jim) Hatterman, and Alicia Gittens (John) McCareins; and numerous other nephews, nieces, cousins, family and friends.

Mr. Horace Michael Gittens

July 27, 1930 - February 3, 2018