Obituary
We are heartbroken to announce the death of our father, Nathaly “Nat” Afriat, 88, after a long battle with illness on 4/24/2023. He has joined his wife, our mom, Gelmires Afriat, who recently passed to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in heaven. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. Left to cherish his memories are his three children: Charles Afriat, Frederic Afriat, Huguette Afriat Groce, and his granddaughter Chloe Afriat. He will also be lovingly remembered by all who knew him.
Our father led a fascinating and adventure-filled life. He was born in Casablanca, Morocco and left to France when he was a young man. He was a highly skilled master jeweler who created beautiful one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces. He worked for famous luxury jewelers like Cartier in Casablanca, Morocco and Van Cleef & Arpels in Paris, France. His adventurous spirit, and fate, led him to Brazil where he met and married our mom. Both mom and dad loved an adventure, so they moved to the United States of America in search for a better life for their family. Together, they opened their own jewelry store, The Jewel Boutique, where our dad designed and created beautiful jewelry.
Our dad was loved by all including his family, neighbors, and friends. He enjoyed taking long walks and getting to know his neighbors. But most of all, he loved his family and worked all his life to provide us with the best life possible, to which he was very successful. Thank you, dad, for the amazing life you gave us. We are forever grateful.
A celebration of life will be scheduled at his private residence with close family and friends.
Friends and family may leave condolence message or sign the guest register by visiting www.baldwincremation.com.
My Amigo, Happy Birthday in Heaven, Celebrate with mom and I will be thinking of you this day. Love you dad so much and miss you with all my heart...Your son Patriq
Dad , I miss you with all My heart and soul. I know you are here with us this rainy morning. I miss the fun times on these mornings opening gifts with you and how you always laughed and had fun. This is hard for me because I miss the talks you gave me, about life . Dad, Merry Christmas Amigo with all my heart and soul. Have a beautiful Chriatmas with mom, I know you both are watching over us...
Love you always and forever, your son Patriq
You both are going to be celebrating Christmas with us, love you
Our Sandhill Crane - see story below
Our Sandhill Cranes... see story below.
A year later, in the spring of 2019, the same Sandhill Crane returned - this time with her little baby crane and her "husband" crane and they again visited my parents quite often when they were out in their lanai and would hang out for a couple hours each day. I would again see the crane and her family when I visited on the weekends. After a few months they left again. They returned once again, a year later in spring 2020, with another baby crane - again visiting my parents (and me) often. After a few months, they left again, only they didn't return the following spring, or the spring after that. My mom and I spoke of the Sandhill Crane often and wondered if she would ever return.
My mom passed away in the spring of 2023 (March), and then my dad passed away a month later in April - I was with him at home as he passed under the care of Hospice. At the very moment when my dad passed, I heard a very loud squawking sound outside. I looked out the sliding glass doors that leads to the lanai, and I saw our Sandhill Crane - whom we haven't seen in 3 years. She was right outside our lanai, so close that I could pet her, looking into our house through the glass doors and screaming to get our attention (my brother and his wife were there too). When I went outside to see her, she walked towards me and I felt my mom's presence. I knew at that very moment that my mom had sent the crane to comfort me and to let me know she was there to get my dad, and that they were ok and back together again - they had been married for 53 wonderful years - and now will spend eternity together.
I will cherish this experience for the rest of my life and I take great comfort knowing that my parents spirit and soul lives on and that we will be together again in God's house. Thank you God, and mom, for sending our Sandhill Crane as a sign of your love for us.
Dad, you will never be forgotten, love ypu always and forever amigo
I Miss You Dad so much
My Amigo, my Bestfriend, my Dad, You will be missed so much.i miss you with all my heart. You, Dad, never stopped helping and providing to all of us a life that was truly amazing. Dad, i miss you with all my heart, and my Heart again has been broken, i know that you are up there taking care of Mom now. Thank you so much Amigo for taking care of all of us unconditionally and without reserve. You Amigo will never ever be forgotten, Thank You for all you did for all of us, Love you Dad always and Forever ...........Patric