Joshua Doidieu Dantoin

“Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one remembers to turn on the light.” - Albus Dumbledore 

Joshua Doidieu Dantoin, beloved son of Timothy Dantoin and Angela Bauer, and cherished brother to Phoebe, Isaiah, and Selene Dantoin, passed away on July 24, 2024, after a courageous battle with mental illness. He was 22 years of age. His family is devastated by his loss, and yet comforted in knowing that Joshua is finally at peace. We loved him so. 

Joshua was born in Jacmel, Haiti, in 2002, and spent his first two years of life in a Port au Prince orphanage. His American family was so blessed to adopt him in 2004, and fondly remembers how quickly he bonded with his big brother Isaiah and big sister Phoebe when he came to the U.S. Isaiah was so patient and kind to his younger brother, sharing his beloved soccer jerseys with Joshua and playing for hours on end in their inflatable bouncy house or on the trampoline. Phoebe read countless books to Joshua, and staged hilarious, elaborate photoshoots with him in which he pretended to be the elusive North American Gnome. Selene and Joshua were compatriots and antagonists in equal measure, losing themselves for hours in their make-believe Land of Lompoo.

As a child, Joshua was an adventuresome soul who was filled with boundless energy. His zest for life was infectious, and he had a remarkable ability to bring joy and laughter to those around him. His creativity knew no bounds - family members fondly remember the time he transformed the stairs of their home into a makeshift luge course during the Winter Olympics, fearlessly sliding down in a laundry basket. His infectious laugh could light up any room, a sound his loved ones will deeply miss. 

An avid fan of Harry Potter, Joshua read the books and watched the movies countless times with his family, creating a shared love for the magical world. This resulted in a neverending family trivia battle that was punctuated by a 2010 visit to the newly opened Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando. 

Joshua shared a special bond with his mother in the kitchen, where they spent endless hours cooking together. His favorite show, "Cake Boss," inspired many of their culinary adventures. This passion for cooking led Joshua to choose the culinary arts as a profession after high school. He worked as a line cook at Oneida Country Club and Anduzzi's Sports Bar, where he continued to develop his culinary skills. 

 A gifted athlete, Joshua excelled in soccer, football and lacrosse, showcasing his talent and dedication on the field. His father spent numerous hours encouraging and cheering him on in his athletic endeavors, just as he did in so many other areas of Joshua's life. We extend our deepest gratitude to the coaches, teammates and parents of Oneida Community Lacrosse for welcoming Josh, Tim and Charlie into their midst and sharing the healing power of the Creator's game. Your impact on Joshua was immense. 

Joshua possessed a fierce sense of justice and consistently stood up for those who were marginalized or treated unfairly. His unwavering commitment to defending others, sometimes to his own detriment, was a testament to his compassionate nature and strong sense of justice. This will forever serve as an inspiration to all of us. 

 He will be forever remembered by his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him. 

 A memorial service will be held for Joshua at 1 PM on Saturday, August 3, 2024 at Union Congregational Church, 716 S. Madison Ave. in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Visitation will begin at 12 noon. Cotter Funeral and Cremation Care is assisting the family with arrangements.

 A memorial fund has been established in Joshua’s name with Heartline Haiti 501c3, https://heartlinehaiti.kindful.com/?campaign=1320309 which assisted in our adoption of Joshua. Heartline Haiti was founded in 2000 to strengthen Haitian families and prevent children from becoming orphans. Heartline holistically addresses the root causes of material poverty through maternal & infant healthcare, career training, children’s education, and community care.