Nuno Franco, age 84 years, died peacefully at New Bedford Jewish Convalescent Home on Wednesday, January 9th. He was the beloved husband of Zelia (Perinho) of New Bedford. Mr. Franco was the loving father of 4 sons: Amadeu Pedrosa, husband of Linda of West Palm Beach, Florida; Antonio Pedrosa of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Benjamin Pedrosa, husband of Ana Bela, of New Bedford; Felicio Franco, husband of Martha, of Dartmouth. He was survived by 5 grandchildren: Zelia Pedrosa, Nancy Pedrosa, wife of Christopher Hohner, Genevieve (Franco) Correia, wife of Michael, Robert Pedrosa, husband of Raquel and Nuno Pedrosa; 3 great grandchildren: Michael, Ana Bela and Savannah as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins Nuno was predeceased by several siblings.
Mr. Franco was born in St. Michael, Azores son of Sophia and Horacio Franco. Nuno worked as a mechanic for the Caterpillar, Inc and was the first in the area to have a Caterpillar distributorship. He was able to travel around the world doing his work. After his retirement, Nuno and his wife, Zelia, spent 15 years in St. Michael before returning to New Bedford. He was a loyal member of the St. Michael Club in New Bedford. Nuno loved motorcycles and fast cars but, most of all, Mr. Franco loved his family. His most cherished times were when his family and loved ones surrounded him. He was a very special man that will be missed by many. Even people that didn’t know him benefited from Nuno’s kindness. He was known to give the shirt of his back, literally, to complete strangers in need. He was one of a kind, a man of complete selflessness and will always be in the hearts and thoughts of those fortunate enough to know him.
Mr. Franco’s funeral will be Saturday, January 12th from the Perry Funeral Home, 111 Dartmouth St. at 7:45 A.M. with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church at 8:45 A.M. Burial will follow at St. John’s Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Friday evening from 5 – 9 P.M. Relatives and friends are invited.