Dr. Andre Rigaud was born in Cap-Haïtien, Haiti on January 31, 1935 and after suffering a severe stroke on February 14, 2022, passed away surrounded by friends and family at Delnor Hospital on February 18, 2022.
Dr. Rigaud is survived by his wife of 60 years, Dr. Marie-Claude Rigaud, 5 children - Carl-Andre (Bobby) Rigaud of Naperville, Illinois, Jean-Philippe (Maria) Rigaud of Steubenville, Ohio, Cassandre (Donald) Anderson of Rockford, Illinois, Joseph (Kari) Rigaud of DeKalb, Illinois, and Claudine (Marcel) Rigaud Dulaney of Phoenix, Arizona. He leaves behind 13 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren, his brother Claude (Denise) Rigaud, sisters Marie-Maude Rigaud and Rose Cornelius. And finally, he leaves behind a large community with relatives, friends and colleagues who are saddened by his loss. Andre was preceded in death by his son, Ralph Rigaud, and his brothers Gerald Rigaud and Lyonell Rigaud.
Andre's family started in Haiti, where he met and courted Marie-Claude Saint Jean. They married on September 30, 1961 and remained inseparable until 60 years later, with Marie-Claude staying at Andre's bedside until his body gave its last breath.
Dr. Rigaud attended medical school in Haiti to become a pathologist. He greatly enjoyed his career and his colleagues in Haiti, in Baltimore, Maryland, and in Aurora, Illinois. His involvement in the medical profession extended to his work with AMHE (Association Médicale Haïtienne à l'Étranger) where he served terms as President of the Baltimore and Chicago chapters and as the AMHE Treasurer. He also volunteered his time and donated medical equipment on trips to Haiti to help where he could.
Andre and Marie-Claude's family expanded to 6 children by 1978, when they moved to Aurora, Illinois. Andre was always involved in his children's activities; attending so many of their plays, dances, concerts, games, meets, and outings. He was often found cheerleading on the sidelines of Marmion and Rosary sporting events and was even gifted a golden megaphone so the crowd could better hear his "Let's Go Defense" chant. He served as the de facto team doctor and bandaged up quite a few Cadets and Royals.
Andre's gentle and loving spirit was only outmatched by his sense of humor and joy of life. In varying degrees and in various ways, he passed these along to his children and their children and their children - a beautiful tapestry of people brought close by his example and his life, and now even closer by his passing.
Although we grieve for our husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, we grieve with the hope of seeing him again and for eternity in heaven.
Please join us in celebrating his life at a Visitation to be held from 3:00 - 7:00 pm on Friday, February 25, 2022 at Daleiden Mortuary, 220 N. Lake Street, Aurora, IL and at a Funeral Mass, to be celebrated at 10:00 am on Saturday, February 26, 2022 at Marmion Abbey, 850 Butterfield Rd., Aurora, IL. The funeral Mass will be streamed on Facebook live: https://facebook.com/events/s/funeral-of-dr-andre-rigaud/1167854007081436/
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Rebȃti Santé Mentale ( https://rebatisantementale.org/about/ ), AMHE (amhe.org), and/or
The Haitian Project/The Louverture Cleary Schools Network
( https://haitianproject.org ).
Arrangements were handled by THE DALEIDEN MORTUARY, 220 N. Lake St., Aurora, 630-631-5500 or visit our website at www.daleidenmortuary.com .
Hotel Information:
Comfort Inn & Suites Geneva - West Chicago
1555 E Fabyan Pkwy
Geneva, IL (630) 208-8811
ALSO:
My Place Hotel
1000 Kilberry Ln
N. Aurora IL 60542
630-256-8485
Please ask for "Rigaud Memorial" for the block rate.