George Fonseca, 80, of New Bedford, MA passed away on September 9, 2018 after a long illness. George was born in New Bedford, the son of the late John Salles Fonseca and Guimar (Silva) Fonseca. He attended Aviation High School in Brooklyn, NY and graduated from The School of Visual Arts in New York, NY. He served in the U.S. Air Force before beginning a long career as a commercial artist. George also wrote and illustrated two children’s books, and was an accomplished photographer.
George traveled extensively throughout North America, Europe and West Africa. He was very proud of his family and took a keen interest in his family genealogy. He loved all things aviation and automotive as he had a mind tuned to the mechanical. He was a longtime jazz fly, becoming friends with jazz musicians, managing a jazz club and making art relating to the jazz greats. He had an entrepreneurial spirit having opened a restaurant in Brooklyn during the 60s and an internet café in the 90s. He will be remembered for his independent spirit, his creativity, his curiosity about all things, and his sense of humor.
He is survived by his children: son, Jaime Fonseca of Montreal, Québec; daughter, Josée Fonseca of Troy, NY; daughter, Joy Fonseca and her husband Steen Moller of Copenhagen, Denmark; and daughter, Josephine Fonseca and her partner, Thomas Enghave of Copenhagen, Denmark; as well as his grandchildren, Sophia Fonseca, Isabelle Fonseca, Isak Fonseca, Alba Fonseca and Camille Eddo; and his brother, Vincent Fonseca of Brooklyn, NY. George is also survived by his cousins and extended family, in particular, Ramona Silva and husband Kenneth, who have been a great support to him throughout his illness.
He was predeceased by his sisters, Beatrice Fonseca, Judith Gourdine, and Carol Lyons.
His Memorial Service will be held on Friday, September 14th at 9 AM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. His family will receive visitors on Friday from 8-9 AM prior to the service. Burial with military honors will follow at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne at 10:45 AM. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.