Giant in Public Service and Community Self-Empowerment, Passes
Dr. John Louis Flateau, PhD. passed on December 30th, the 5th day of Kwanzaa, on which we traditionally observe and celebrate the principle of Nia, Purpose.
The announcement by his sister Adele Flateau — the last sibling-voice the community leader heard that morning — spoke of the shock and the suddenness of his passing. The response to her message was immediate. Condolences poured forth, yes, but with each and every condolence came a word of gratitude and appreciation – in the style of John Louis Flateau forever smiling that smile even under the weight of great pressure.
Collected here are comments sent to Dr. Flateau’s family and to the public. They herald his genius, his life, his legacy, and his decades-long embrace of his purpose: to love and serve his family and his community, the latter for whom he soldiered, for fifty years, the role of being a voice for the voiceless. In that regard, he was the embodiment of the Nia, the principle devoted to building and developing community “in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.” And that is what he envisioned for our future.
Dr. Flateau is survived by his wife, Lorraine; his two sons, Marcus, Jonathan, Chaunee, and their families; and four siblings, Anne, Alice, Adele, and Richard.
Note to readers: Funeral services for Dr. John Louis Flateau will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, January 10th, with viewing to take place between 9:00 am and 10:00 am at Bridge St. AWME Church, 277 Stuyvesant Avenue in Brooklyn, NY. – Bernice Elizabeth Green