Bernadin Etienne, 62, of Peabody formerly of Everett passed away on September 21 by accident. Bernadin was the son of Mathieu Etienne Sr. and Anastasie Millien, both deceased, was born in Port-au-Prince Haiti, on June 1st, 1958. After spending his childhood in Haiti, at age 14 in 1972, Bernadin Etienne joined his parents and older siblings in the United States in Brooklyn New York.
He attended Erasmus High School and Staten Island Community College. Samantha Etienne. In 2018, he married Patricia (nee Estinvil). He worked for the MBTA for 18 years and was well-liked by his colleagues. Bernadin had a generous and kind heart. He was an avid lover and player of soccer in his younger days. Most notably, in the 80’s he played soccer for the Brooklyn team Zenith and later Staten Island College. To many people and his teammates, he was intimately known as Big Ben. In his youth, on the soccer field, he was always in good physical condition and had stamina for the position he played.
He was relentless in playing the midfield position. What he lacked in technique, he made up for it in physical prowess. His ability to instill confidence in his teammates, hard work, and inner desire to be on the winning team made everybody want to have “Big Ben” on their team. Ben’s most distinguished attribute was the fact that he gave friendship and goodwill to all.. He will be remembered for always knowing how to crack a good joke, talk about sports, and enjoying a good Haitian meal (legume being his favoritenan ti bol). Bernadin is survived by his wife Patricia (Estinvil) Etienne.; a daughter, Samantha Etienne; two brothers, Leonard and Mathieu Jr.; two sisters Marie Suzette Dorce and Christine Etienne; nieces and nephews, Robin, Rachelle, Fayola, Samori, Anastasia, Brianna, Myalana, Emmaline, and Alexandre. A funeral Mass was celebrated in the Immaculate Conception Church on Thursday, October 1. Arrangements by the Murphy O’Hara Funeral Home.