Joao Furtado

Dartmouth – Joao Furtado, age 52 of Dartmouth, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on Friday, January 17, 2014 after a courageously fought battle with cancer. He was born in Ribeira Quente, São Miguel, Açores, the son of the late Liduina Peixoto-Balaia and the late Jose Carvalho Furtado. He moved to this country when he was 19 years old, worked, passionately, as a Fisherman and was the co-owner of the fishing vessel, “Predator”. In his younger days, Joao enjoyed playing soccer and continued his affection for the game by rooting on his favorite team, Benfica. He was known by many as a jokester; quick to make many laugh, but most of all, Joao loved his family and he was happiest when spending time with them.

His surviving family includes his 2 daughters: Felicia and Taylor Furtado, both of New Bedford; a grandchild, Kohen Ferreira; 3 siblings: Jose Furtado and his wife, Armanda, of New Bedford; Nelia Carvalho and her husband Alfonso, of Bristol, RI and Juvenalia Brum and her husband, Antonio, of S. Dartmouth; his best friend, Antonio Pacheco, an aunt, Maria Rosa Balaia, former wife and great friend, Maria Furtado, as well as several nieces and nephews.

His funeral will be at PERRY FUNERAL HOME, 111 Dartmouth St. in New Bedford, on Wednesday beginning at 8:00 A.M. with a Mass of Christian Burial to take place at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church at 9:00 A.M. Burial will follow at Rural Cemetery. Visiting hours will take place in the funeral home on Tuesday evening from 5 – 8 P.M. Relatives and friends are invited to attend.