John L. Pontes, age 64, of Stonehaven Road , Fall River , retired principal of the Davol School , passed away May 12, 2008 at home with his family by his side. He was the devoted husband of the late Pauline B. (LeBoeuf) Pontes and the son of the late John Lima and Georgeana (Mello) Pontes.
A lifelong resident of Fall River , John dedicated his professional career to education. He began as a foreign language teacher at Durfee High School in 1964. Later, he was appointed the principal of Davol School - a position he held for 28 years. As principal he was known for loyalty to his staff, dedication to his students, and commitment to the Flint community. John will be fondly remembered for his daily kickball games during recess and his organization of the annual Davol School Olympics. In retirement, he worked as a Spanish teacher at East Gate Christian Academy and a Spanish language translator at Sylvan Nursery in Westport .
He served on the board of the Friends of the Fall River Public Library and was a member of the Fall River Historical Society, the Fall River Lodge of Elks, the Retired Educators Association of Massachusetts, the Retired State County and Municipal Employees Association, and the former Coimbra Club. He was a communicant of St. Anthony of the Desert Church and a member of the National Apostolate of Maronites.
An avid sports fan, John served as assistant coach of the Durfee High School baseball team, including the 1971 state champions. John also had a deep appreciation for other cultures, which he cultivated through travel, cuisine, music and language.
He will be greatly missed by his son, John A. Pontes and his wife Kristina, his daughter, Audra L. Costello and her husband Christopher, and his four beloved granddaughters, Greta B. Costello, Maya E. Pontes, Anya K. Costello, and Kate P. Pontes, all of Fall River. He also leaves a brother-in-law, Albert R. LeBoeuf and his wife Jacqueline of Orlando, FL, along with their three daughters, Brigitte, Nicole and Lindsay.
John’s funeral will be held Friday at 8:45 AM from Manuel Rogers & Sons Funeral Home (www.rogersfuneral.com), 1521 No. Main St. , Fall River , with a funeral mass in St. Anthony of the Desert Church at 10:00 AM . Burial at St. Patrick Cemetery . Visitation, Thursday 2:00 to 4:00 PM and 6:00 to 8:00 PM .
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the John and Pauline Pontes Memorial Scholarship Fund or Hospice & Palliative Care, 502 Bedford Street , Fall River , MA 02720 (www.vnasm.org).