John A. Dutra, age 60 of Swansea, passed away on Jan. 11, 2014 with his family by his side. He was the beloved husband of Kristi (Belyea) Dutra and the late Joyce (Flannigan) Dutra. He was the son of the late John and Cerina (Cordeiro) Dutra.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children: Gabriel Dutra of Fall River, Darcy Franco (husband Carlos) of Swansea, and Kelly (Dutra) Gray (husband Chris) of Atlanta, GA; grandchildren: Taylor, Kyle, Alyssa, Cameron, Zachary, and Olivia; siblings: Gary Dutra, Deborah Medeiros, and Wendy Carreiro; several nieces & nephews.
John joined the Boston Painters Union Local 1138 in 1975 as a Bridge Painter. He had a passion for his career and was elected to many positions for the local including Warden, Trustee, Delegate to D.C. 35, Delegate to the National Convention, and Business Representative. John also organized a project for Citizens For Citizens Preschool and the building was dedicated to him and his co-workers for their free labor contributions.
In 1988, he was elected President of the New England Painters Agents and in 1989, he was elected President of the South Shore Building Trades. In 1992, John went to work for the MBTA as an Auto Technician. He was later promoted to Paint Foreman, Body Shop Foreman, and finally Project Coordinator before retiring in 2012.
His funeral will take place from the MANUEL ROGERS & SONS FUNERAL HOME, INC. 1521 N. Main St., Fall River, MA on WEDNESDAY at 8:30 A.M. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Theresa’s Church, Stafford Rd., Tiverton at 10:00 A.M. Cremation to follow. Calling hours on TUESDAY 5-9 P.M. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or st.jude.org. www.rogersfuneral.com.