A year ago, we suffered an unexpected loss — my father, Mario Joseph.

To many, he is remembered as a giant, a force of nature. But to me, he will always be the tenacious, resilient man who taught me the value of purpose, discipline, and love.

I will always remember my dad for his deep passion for his work, his love of travel, and his devotion to family. I can still picture us playing soccer in the courtyard or walking laps around our house after his long workdays. Even when he was exhausted, he still found ways to spend time with us — combining family time with his ever-present drive to stay active. Those walks often turned into long conversations about his work in Haiti, his hopes, and his dreams for a better Haiti. Afterward, we’d help him type or translate his speeches, often late into the night. Those were long nights, but meaningful ones, full of learning and connection.

My dad sacrificed so much — not only for his work, but for us. Even after moving us to Florida, he made sure to visit as often as possible, showing up to our ceremonies, birthdays, and every small moment he could. His presence, though sometimes brief, was always intentional.

Recently, while speaking with Brian about the early days of my father’s career, I learned that at first, he was hesitant about the job ahead — but he took it anyway. That courage led him to remarkable achievements: earning honorary doctorates, traveling the world, and taking on crucial human rights cases. He helped prosecute the 1994 Raboteau massacre trial, represented cholera victims against the UN, and defended countless others who had no one else to speak for them. Yet at home, he was still the same dad — full of life, curiosity, and warmth — always ready to share a meal, a drive, or a good story between commitments.

I also want to take this moment to thank his colleagues and his dedicated team. Your continued effort to uphold his work and maintain the office has been a great support to our family. I am deeply grateful to Brian for the time he has taken to share insights about my father’s mission, and I hope to continue the meaningful relationships my father built. I also extend heartfelt thanks to the nurses and doctors at the University of the Aristide Foundation for Democracy Hospital, and to my lawyers — Wilmine Saint Pierre of the Cabinet Talleyrand, R. Saint-Pierre & Ass., and Gary Zeidwig of Zeidwig Law — for their unwavering commitment to upholding my father’s legacy.

In my last conversation with my father a year ago, he told me not to let him go. Those words have stayed with me every day. So my hope is that we not only preserve his vision and mission, but also build upon them — working together to advance the principles he lived by and inspiring others to do the same.

Long live Haiti. Long live Mario.

–        Rose Mayina Joseph