NEW BEDFORD — Vincent L. Furtado, 87, of New Bedford, died on Thursday, March 14, 2013, after a courageous battle with an illness.
Born on September 3, 1925, in Brookline, MA, he was the son of the late Joseph and Maria Furtado. Vincent grew up in New Bedford, MA. He then served in the United States Air Force from 1943 -1947 when he was honorably discharged. During his tenure, he received the Bronze Star, Oak Leaf Clusters.
Vincent graduated from New Bedford Vocational High School and later received a BA in accounting from Simmons College. Some of his early employment included work as a comptroller at Carlesi Trucking, a sales rep. for Metropolitan Life Insurance and a Paymaster at Aerovox before finally settling in as a Tax Auditor for the Mass Department of Revenue, where he retired after thirty years of service.
In 1955, Vincent married the former Uzy Sequeira at St. Francis Xavier in Acushnet, MA. They were happily married for 36 years until Uzy’s untimely death in 1991.
Vincent was a civic minded person and served in the following membership organizations throughout the years: American Legion; American Red Cross (Board of Directors); Disabled American Vets; Junior Achievement; New Bedford Elks Club (past Treasurer); New Bedford Kiwanis Club (past Treasurer); New Bedford Lions Club (past President); New Bedford Whaling Museum (Docent); Prince Henry Society (State Council President); Service Corps Of Retired Executives (Economics Counselor); Society of American Magicians; Shrine Club of Southeast Mass, Aleppo Temple (Past President and Treasurer); Toastmasters International (past President); Whaling City Festival (past Treasurer).
Some of the awards Vincent received included: Junior Achievement (50 Years of Service Award, sole recipient to date); Kiwanian of the Year; New Bedford Chamber of Commerce (Small Business Person of the Year); Prince Henry Society (Portuguese American of the Year).
Vincent, who was very philanthropic, donated to many charities and loved to help those most in need. He especially enjoyed giving an annual scholarship in his late wife’s memory. When not involved in the above, he enjoyed calculating mathematical probabilities of various outcomes based on observed conditions.
Vincent is survived by his son, Vincent D. Furtado and his companion, Theresa Perry and her son.
A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary’s Church, 440 Main St., Fairhaven, MA on Wednesday, March 20, 2013, at 10 am. Visiting hours will be conducted at Perry’s Funeral Home, 111 Dartmouth St., New Bedford, MA on Tuesday, March 19, 2013, from 4 pm-8 pm. Burial at St. John’s Cemetery, 664 Allen St., New Bedford, MA, will follow the funeral.