Felix Guignard Obituary

Felix (Fe'Fe) Guignard

November 3, 1927 -

January 12, 2025

Felix (Fe'Fe) Guignard's piano was silenced forever today….

JOHNSON CITY - Felix Guignard of Johnson City, passed away on Sunday, January 12, 2025, at the wonderful loving care of Modern Caregivers in Piney Flats.

Felix was the son of the late Francois and Christiane Saladin Guignard and was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti on November 3, 1927. He was baptized a Roman Catholic and loved his God: Jesus Christ.

Felix was a musician, pianist, accordionist, and composer of music. Growing up in Haiti Felix's family was poor and did not have a piano until he was 10 years old. His father, Francois Guignard, played the piano professionally and had his own band in Port-au-Prince. He did not want Felix to be a musician, but his mother urged his father to teach him the piano. His father also instilled in Felix the love of music, who taught him to do the basic techniques of music.

Felix started his career playing in Haiti for $.60 cent per night. At age 15, He played for the president of Haiti and was also of part of his personal band; and played for Vice-president Nixon on his visit to Haiti. As well Felix and his brother Edner performed together a few times.

Felix was a pianist at a few of the finest hotels in Atlanta including Omni International and Marriot Marquee. Also working on his career, he had traveled to the Virgin Island of St. Croix and Guadeloupe in Martinique West Indies. He could also speak a few different languages which included French, Creole, Spanish, and English which helped his career in the Islands.

Felix moved to St. Croix U.S. Virgin Island where he played piano professionally and raised his children. In 1951, he played at the Cherry Blossom festival under the famous musician conductor Toscanini with many other musicians from around the world.

His next phase in his life was the opportunity to move to the United States starting his musical career in Atlanta, GA. In Atlanta, Felix met his long-life partner Carol Fair, who was a stewardess for Piedmont, US Air/British Airways, US Airways and now American Airlines Purser (Lead) flight attendant.

After spending 30 years with his musical career in Atlanta he retired and moved to Johnson City, TN with Carol at Fair Oaks. During some of Felix and Carols' travels, he played Cole Porter's piano at the Waldord Astoria Hotel in New York City, in Las Vegas he played George Gershwin's piano and the famous mirrored piano of Liberace. He also played at the Johnson City Country Club, as well as some local places in Johnson City, and especially at Fair Oaks for Carol's parties she would host.

A few of Felix's albums are the Poor People of Haiti, A Paris, and his best and final album Aubade in which he produced in 2006. Felix Guignard was one of the last Old World musicians of Haiti.

As Felix would always say, "God Bless America! , C'est la vie" which means, "That is Life"

What would a World have been without Music, Love and God? - Felix Guignard

Survivors include life partner, Carol Fair; children, Pastor Winnie Guignard Pierre, (Pastor Yves), Felix Guignard Jr., Ronald Guignard, Nadege G. Claxton (Ishmael), Wagner Guignard (Rose) and Gerald D Guignard; sisters, Laure Guignard Pierre, Anne Marie Guignard Thomas, Adeline Guignard Baptist; brother, Edner Guignard; loving grandchildren, great grandchildren; and family too numerous to mention.

The funeral service for Felix will be conducted Saturday, January 18, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. from the chapel of Tetrick Funeral Services, Johnson City with Pastor Winnie Guignard, officiating. The graveside committal service will follow in Monte Vista Memorial Park with Dr. Steve Brown, officiating.

The family will receive friends prior to the service from 12:00-1:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

There will also be Memorial Service at a later date at Fair Oaks, the home of Felix and Carol in Johnson City.

This obituary was lovingly written by Philip Felts.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.tetrickfuneralservices.com. The service will also be livestreamed from this website.

Tetrick Funeral Services, 3001 Peoples St. Johnson City, TN 37604, is honored to serve the Guignard family (610-7171).