Frank Almeida, 79, of New Bedford, died July 19, 2011 at home surrounded by his loved ones. Loving and devoted husband, friend, and classmate to the late Eunice (Hacking) Almeida (she was his life!), and son of the late Virginio Salles and Mary Angelo (Martin) Almeida. Frank is survived by his three daughters and their husbands: Donna Shurtleff, Cheryl Furtado and Stephen, and Sharon LaRochelle and Todd, as well as seven grandchildren: Jessica LaRochelle, Katie Belanger, Morgann Shurtleff, Wesley LaRochelle, Brenna Shurtleff, Curtis Furtado, and Brent Furtado, and seven great-grandchildren: Armand, Kyle, Sylvia, Jacklyne, Mason, Charlize, and Tyler.
Mr. Almeida graduated from New Bedford Vocational High School in 1951, a protégé of the late R.J. Brown and other Vocational Teachers. He devoted his life to that school becoming a carpentry teacher, supervisor, and coordinator at the Greater New Bedford Regional Voc-Tech High, which spanned a career of 38 years. He also was involved in many other aspects of both schools giving of his time and talents to his passion: enriching vocational education. Such aspects included supervising the night program at NBVT, being instrumental in the planning and design of the new GNB Voc-Tech, and creating and developing new trade programs for the school such as Painting and Decorating and Marine Industries.
Frank served on the vestry and maintenance committees, and was actively involved in restoring the pipe organ at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church or to Greater New Bedford Regional Voc-Tech Scholarship Fund. His Funeral Service was held yesterday in St. Andrew's Church. Burial followed in Pine Grove Cemetery. Private arrangements were with the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford.