Gerald A. Furtado

Gerald A. Furtado, age 79, “Gerry,” formerly of Swansea, MA, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, July 6, 2020 at South County Hospital surrounded by his loving family. He was the husband of the late Ellen F. (Allen) Furtado who recently passed away in November.

Born in Fall River, he was the son of the late William and Mary (Correia) Furtado and longtime resident of Swansea, MA.

A graduate of Joseph Case High School, he received his Bachelor’s degree from University of Massachusetts and a Master’s in Education from Bridgewater State College. Gerry started his career in Rehoboth as an educator at Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School. Shortly after moving back to Swansea, he became Vice Principal of Joseph Case High School. After serving many years in the Swansea School system, he was appointed Principal at Warren High School and then Dean of Students at Bristol-Warren Regional High School in Warren, RI where he retired in 1998. Shortly thereafter, Gerry was asked to serve as a consultant for South Coast Collaborative where he worked with special needs students.

Gerry was a devoted Catholic who served as a Eucharistic Minister for St. Dominic’s Church in Swansea. He also served as a volunteer firefighter for the town of Swansea for over 15 years. During his tenure as an educator he established Cedar Construction Company, where he fulfilled his love for carpentry, another profession where Gerry became a mentor to many. In his spare time he enjoyed boating, coaching sports and vacationing but especially time spent camping with his family.

He was a dedicated and loving husband, remarkable father and idolized grandfather. His role of a parent extended well beyond raising 8 children of his own. Gerry and Ellen also fostered many children in need throughout the years. Those that spent time with him would acknowledge his sincere compassion, sympathetic ear and his gift for listening.

He is survived by eight children, James Furtado and his wife Cindi of Swansea, Judy Fleury and her husband Greg of Narragansett, RI, Jeffrey Furtado and his girlfriend Kim Franks of Fairhaven, Jane Edmonds and her husband Joe of Narragansett, RI, Jonathan Furtado and his girlfriend Darlene Patenaude of Swansea, Jennifer Tomaszewicz and her husband Mark of Atlanta, Georgia, Jay Furtado of Fall River and Joann Fitzgerald and her husband Robert of Swansea; sixteen grandchildren, Joel, Lauren, Gregory, Ian, Noah, Kyle, Clayton, Chloe, Taylor, Kaylie, Alyssa, Ella, Cody, Riley, Morgan and Luke; three great grandchildren, Devin, Ariana and Kallie; brother, William Furtado of Swansea; sister-in-law, Judith Abbruzzi of Bristol and several nieces and nephews. He was the father of the late Joseph Furtado and brother of the late Isabel Furtado.

His Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 12, 2020 from 1:00-4:00 PM in Waring-Sullivan Home at Birchcrest, 189 Gardners Neck Rd., Swansea. Due to current occupancy restrictions, please be mindful that guests may have to wait outside while others pay their respects. The Funeral Mass and Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in memory of Gerald Furtado to support cancer research at: www.dana-farber.org/gift.