Obituary

Dr. Emmanuel Orelus, 46, died onThursday, February 9, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Dr. Emmanuel Orelus was born on September 25, 1977, in Cap-Haitian, Haiti, the third of his mother's five children. His parents are Minglecia Vixamar (née Casimir) and the late Samteur Orelus (deceased 2015). Growing up, Emmanuel could be found alongside his father, working.

Emmanuel's mother left Haiti for the United States to forge a better life for her family. When Emmanuel turned 11 years old, with the tireless effort of his mother, he and his siblings were able to immigrate to the United States, settling in Florida.

Affectionately named "Manno", Dr. Orelus' humble upbringing taught him the value of family and service to his community. He unselfishly shared his blessings with family and friends.

His high school years were marked by hard work and demonstrating his musical talents in band. While yet in high school, and working at Wendy's, he met the love of his life, Fedna (née Benjamin).

Emmanuel continued his educational career by obtaining an Associates of Arts from Broward Community College in 1998. This was followed by a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology and Cell Science from the University of Florida in 2001. In 2006, he graduated from of St. Matthews University School of Medicine in Grand Cayman, British West Indies, becoming a medical doctor. Soon after, he completed a Clinical Immunology Fellowship and an Internal Medicine Residency at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital, in 2013.

Emmanuel and Fedna were married in 2002. Their dedication to each other and to their career aspirations led them to live in various places, finally settling in Loxahachee, Florida, a suburb of West Palm Beach. Their son Ennuel Benjamin was born in 2004 followed by Fanuela Emma in 2007. Dr. Orelus loved his children dearly, working hard and doing his best to provide a comfortable life for them. An avid Florida Gators and Miami Heat fan, Dr. Orelus watching football and basketball and attending Miami Heat games when possible.

His passions were spending time with his family and tending his garden. Before and after completing his medical training, he became deeply involved in community service, both in caring for underserved communities in Miami and in Haiti.

His compassion for people led him to volunteer for Project Medishare, providing medical care to underserved residents of Thomode, Haiti. Dr. Orelus also gave back to his community by conducting HIV/AIDS education in Cap-Haitian Haiti. He continued to help those in desperate need, devoting many hours assisting and caring for those affected by the devastating earthquake that hit Port Au-Prince Haiti in 2010.

As a Health Educator at the Center for Haitian Studies, Dr. Orelus conducted medical educational sessions on Radio Mega. Following residency, he opened up his own practice, Optimal Health Choice where his patient's health always came first. He was known to his colleagues, nurses, staff and patients as a compassionate, and caring physician.

Challenges to his health in the last nine years of his life may have limited the extent of his work, but he continued to strive for a better life for his family in every way possible. His life was also marked by accepting Christ as his personal savior and becoming baptized. He enjoyed listening to various preachers online, attending church with his family. Those who knew him, can remember how Dr. Orelus liked to engage others in philosophical discussions, political debates, and ideas to improve conditions in his homeland.

Dr. Orelus is survived by, his wife Fedna, his children Ennuel, and Fanuela, his mother Minglecia Vixama; brothers Nolex St. Victor, Evinks Joseph, and Jocelyn Pierre; sisters Maryanne Prophete, Myrielle, Silfane, Danise, and Manoucheka Orelus; his mother-in-law Ersulie Benjamin, father-in-law Fenel Benjamin; brothers-in-law Maudnel Benjamin and Jean Baptiste Prophete along with nieces and nephews Madison Grace and Aiden James Benjamin; Samantha Doralus; Gueriana and Jeremiah Desir; Whitney Prophete; Jordan Augustin; Darren Prophete; Nolex Dinho and Schneider Noah St. Victor; Evinks Theodore Junior and Amaiya Minglecia Joseph; Christlove, Jacques, Lovely, Pitchon, Johnny and Nolly Orelus; Catiana Philome; Judenel Cadet; Rose Carmella, Samuel, Marceline, Mylove, Laura, Rosekerline, Jennika, Stanley, Giveson; Julie, Junia, Sindy, Eguens, Kensley, Stevens, Jino, Ester, Ruth, Isaac and Joceny Pierre, plus uncles and aunts and cousins. He will be deeply missed. His immediate and extended family, numerous close friends, colleagues, and patients will forever cherish his memory.

Anyone unable to attend Dr. Orelus's funeral services in person may copy and paste the link below into your browser for a live webcast of the service.

Viewing on 2/23/24 - https://www.hdezwebcast.com/show/emmanuel-orelus

Funeral Services on 2/24/24 - https://www.jsbc.faith/live/

In honor of Dr. Emmanuel's memory, please consider a memorial donation to his favorite charity:

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital - 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105