By: Lily Cerat - Haïti Liberté

A TRIBUTE TO PETER KONDRAT, DEAD AT 52 FEBRUARY 26, 1956 - APRIL 8, 2008 by Lily Cerat

The untimely silencing of Peter Kondrat's voice resonates far and deep in the souls of many: family and friends, colleagues and neighbors, his online communities (particularly the Corbetters), the Haitian community in New York and in Haiti, in places as remote as Ile- -Vache.

Peter died on Tuesday morning, April 8, at his apartment in Brooklyn of a massive heart attack. At his funeral in Brooklyn on April 11, Peter's family, friends and students put together the picture of him that will endure: a loving, brilliant and giant humanist with a love of life and a heart of gold.

Peter loved and was equally admired by many. Of Ukrainian and Irish ancestries, no one would know if the tall, blondish 52-year-old was not Haitian if you only had the privilege of reading or listening to his thought-provoking discussions which displayed a profound understanding and analysis of Haitian politics. I, among others, including Haitian saxophonist Alix (Buyu) Ambroise, had long claimed Peter as a brother, and often joked that he was a Haitian born in a white man's body.

He was an English teacher at Brooklyn's Prospect High School. At his funeral, dozens of his students and teaching colleagues offered touching accounts, punctuated by tears and laughter, of their experiences with him.

Peter was very visible and active in Haitian affairs, both outside and inside Haiti. He collaborated for many years with Pierre Leroy, Project Coordinator for Haitian People's Support Project (HPSP) and supported many HPSP humanitarian endeavors. Despite Haiti's current turmoil, Peter was preparing to take a group of visitors to Haiti in an effort to rediscover the beauty of the island, its people, and to get involved in helping the locals of Ile- -Vache to develop self-sustenance. Participants in this trip were going to build and donate a fishing boat to the community. Prior efforts and donations along that line had already been made.

Peter F. Kondrat is survived by his parents, his sister Carol, and four beautiful children: Katie, Ella, Hannah and his 8-year-old son, William. As per Peter's wish, his daughters sang their father a Ukrainian folk chant whose message was that we only die to be reborn; and Buyu performed a rendition of Wangol, a Haitian folk song that also speaks of the afterlife.

He will be sorely missed.

Below is a portion of a eulogy read at Peter Kondrat's funeral.

We remember our fallen family member For his passion for order and excellence Misunderstood by some Loved by many And a family member no doubt We salute this social soldier He had a heart for the students of the world Who could not get what they are owed: an education >From Haiti to Williamsburg Peter Kondrat Educated, fought, experienced and loved With the beauty of life in his eyes And the fire of love in his heart We salute our social soldier, Co-worker, brother, friend, father, counsel, comrade, road dog We'll miss his blazer, button down, jeans and shoes style I'll continue to look at his door With the remnant of a tear That glazes my gaze We salute you

Prayerfully and Emotionally David Jackson The Green School Student Resource Team 223 Graham Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11206