"Charlie was my friend's, Joy & Debbie, father. He was always so welcoming whenever I came around. I remember him fondly as alway being kind and friendly. He was the kind of Dad that lucky kids got. He let me paint trash barrels for the Newport Jazz Festival. Man that was tough! Then he hired me to paint window panes on one of his constuction projects down on the wharf. I made it through the day, but thought my arm would fall off. Regardless, he was so nice about me not wanting to come back again and was sure to make me feel like I had done a good job. True to form. Such a nice man. Many wonderful Sunday dinners with the family. Thank you Charlie for having such a positive impact on my life. I love you. Rest in peace."
In loving memory of
Charles Peter Furtado
August 11, 1929 - April 21, 2010
Newport, RI - Charles Peter Furtado, 80, of 76 Broadway, Newport, died peacefully in his sleep at the Village House Nursing Home on April 21, 2010.Born in Newport, RI on August 1, 1929, he was the son of the late Manuel and Louiza Perry-Silva Furtado.He was the loving husband of 56 years to Julia Marie Medrick Furtado, originally of Morgantown, West Virginia. Charlie and Julia Joy met at a USO dance in 1952, first asking her to dance and then proceeding to tell her Im going to marry you, typical Charlie fashion. Ironically they shared the same birthday and were married on that day August 1, one year later.He grew up on Willow Street in Newport in a large Portuguese family including 15 other siblings. Those were the good old days as Charlie used to say, filled with adventure and mischief hanging out as one of the Maxies, spending lots of summer fun in and around Newport Harbor. In 1950 he was hired by Nathan Fleischer to go on tour with him to Florida to exhibit paintings by Beatrice Turner that Mr. Fleischer had saved from a bonfire, while cleaning out Miss Turners her Estate. Charlie was a US Army Veteran serving at Fort Belvoir, in Virginia in 1952 teaching building construction to Army Officers.Charlie began his Carpentry career in Newport working originally with his father then alongside his brothers. In the early days he worked for the Sullivan Company, helping to build the Newport Library along with working for the Doris Duke Foundation restoring Colonial Homes. He was a self taught Carpenter by trade, known for his skills in restoration. The BEST of the BEST!!! He restored the Black Pearl restaurant and was the Master Mind behind moving the original Clark Cooke House, in the middle of the night, under the cover of darkness, from its location on Thames Street to where it sits today, on Bannisters Wharf. He built most of Bannister Wharf and the Bannisters Wharf building sitting on Americas Cup Ave. Charlie also built many of the stunning private homes located around the Ocean Drive and the James Estate, along with the buildings surrounding De LaSalle.Charlie was the original Show Superintendent of the Newport International Sailboat Show from its inception in 1971 and served as such for the following 5 years. Charlie was known for his efficiency and outstanding leadership. He took on the huge challenge of restoring the SS Newport Ship in the 80s. When Charlie called it a challenging job there was always a twinkle in his eye, which no doubt reflected his enjoyment in rising to the occasion with his unusual flair!! He was known around town as the go to Man if you needed a job, as he always gave a person a chance and reached out to the underdog. It was hard to miss Charlie those days with his red bandana, skibby shirt and blue jeans, a cigarette tucked behind one ear and a pencil behind the other.Charlie retired in 1990 but was always eager to put a hammer in his hand again if and when family and close friends needed his carpentry skills. He was the kind of person whose outlook, style and energy for hard work and hard play set him apart. Charlies loyalty, pride, strong-mindedness and zest for life built his reputation as a friendly, likable, fair and kind man who would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. Charlie loved all children, red headed woman and had a particular fondness for Marilyn Monroe!! : He was a charming, unique character...a great man and will be terribly missed.Charlie adored his family and they were his life. He is survived by his children, Debbie Paddon and her husband Murray Paddon of Langley, British Columbia, Canada, Andrea Jenkins-Straus and husband Timothy Von F. Straus of Middletown, RI, Mark Furtado of Euclid, OH, Joy OConnor and her husband Michael OConnor of Burlington, Ontario and Tina Furtado and Henry Reynolds of Portsmouth, RI.Grandpa Charlie is also survived by his grandchildren, Quentin Paddon, Kevalyn Paddon, Gillianne Paddon, and Garrett Paddon all of Langley, Brtitish Columbia, Canada, Alexandra Jenkins of Maui, Hawaii, Julia Hoffer and her husband Chad of NYC, Anna Jenkins and fianc Tyler Burnley of Portsmouth, RI, Eddie Furtado of Euclid, OH, Margo OConnor of Toronto, Canada, Michael Charles OConnor and Charlotte OConnor of Burlington , Ontario, Stephanie Buckless of Cleveland, OH, Mary Jenkins and Margaret Jenkins of Newport, RI and his great grandson Kayden Floyd of Cleveland, OH.Charlie was one of 16 children, two dying as babies and is the brother of the late Joseph Manuel, Albert, Manual Ernest, William, George, Francis, Richard, John Pete, Anthony, Louise, Mary and Albertina. He is survived by his sister Agnes Pat Rogers of Carson, CA. His funeral will be held on Monday, April 26, 2010, at 8:00 am from the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:00 am in Jesus Savior Church, Broadway and Vernon Avenue, Newport.Burial will be private.Calling hours will be held on Sunday, April 25, 2010, from 3-7pm in the funeral home.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Boston Childrens Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115-9810.
Tributes
"Missing my Daddy today..."
"Dear Daddy, Michael Charles used some of your tools today that you gave him, it brought tears to my eyes...your love of working with your hands you have passed onto my child. I miss you too much.Rest now my darling father.Love always... Joy xoxo"
"Tina & Family, We are very sorry for the loss of your Dad, please know that we are thinking of you at this sad time. Love Tom & Julie"
"We were about to adopt a Havanese puppy a year ago when the seller announced his name, "Charlie." "Oh no," I said to my husband, and he instantly understood. Our world contained one and only one Charlie and there could not possibly be another. As one of the nieces, my memories of Uncle Charlie are filled with warmth, humor, and ample commentary on hair length, hair color, and figures especially certain features. In later years, it was all about our children still including the aforementioned!. Uncle Charlie was a favorite with their entire generation too. Always passing out dollar bills, looking for kisses, full of praise, but never forgetting to bring up the good old-fashioned values: obeying your parents, then in later years, "Don't do anything I wouldn't do." I often wondered exactly how much leeway that left my children, Charlie! Getting back to our Havanese. He became Charles. The world still has only one Charlie, memories as big as his earthly presence ever was."
"My very favorite memory of Uncle Charlie goes back almost 60 years when he would pick me up, hold me to the ceiling and not put me down until I yelled "Uncle." I think he just liked the name!! I am so sorry I wasn't able to be there today, but please believe I was with you in my heart."
"Joy my dear friend, So sorry to hear about Charlie, he was a very nice man. I remember when he would come in the room where we played Bingo and give us girls a quarter saying his quarters were lucky and they were. My prayers are with you and your family. Peace and love, Madeline Humphries. Maddie"
"Tina and the Furtato Family Ever since I was little I knew many member of the Furtato. Weather it was through the Meteraud familywhich was very enteraining when the Furtato and Meteraud Family were together Or It was my Dad story's of growing up on the Point and a member of the 'MAXI'S' He spoke highly of the Furtato's and their carpendtry skills. And Knowing Tina as a Friend for over 20 years. Tina you have been a 'VERY GOOD DAUGHTER' you have always been there and taken very good care of your parents in a very caring way. My Thoughts and Prayers with you Tara Davis"
"Other than sporatic, delightful visits; I've held loving memories of Charlie since I was 18. Always room at the dinner table for an extra gal spending her first summer away from home. Extra fatherly hugs. always a chuckle or a joke, doling encouragement with a wink. Those memories etched in are hearts just never fade. My deepest sympathies to all who have loved and been loved by Charlie. Nothing made him happier than being adored by "all his girls"! My fondest emotions are with you, Katrina"
"Dad i miss you so much already, it's been a hard road and not sure what's ahead my days fill empty, I'LL miss our talks.Know your memory will never die and i will take care of mom.I LOVE YOU REST NOW UNTIL WE MET AGAIN. YOUR PAIN IS GONE FOREVER."
"Dear Aunt Joy, Debbie, Andrea, Joy, Mark and Tina, We are so sorry to hear of Uncle Charlie's passing. What a warm and funny man. He brought any party to life when he stepped in the door. Intelligent and kind, it was an honor to claim him as Uncle. Love, Chuck and Marilyn Gemmell"
"Dear Joy, Debbie, Andrea, Mark, Joy & Tina, So very sorry to hear of Charlie's passing. I've know Charlie for the first 30 years of my life & have many fond memories of him. Please know that my thoughts are with you."
"Our family mascot has passed on, how sad when you realize Uncle Charlie, the most colorful Furtado male, was also the last in a line of amazing Furtado men to leave this world. Got to hand it to you Godfather, you always knew how to make an entrance and an exit! I remember growing up, and even today, when I introduce myself, often it is followed with “Furtado, as in Charlie” makes me smile just thinking about how well known you were to the people of Aquidneck Island. Aunt Joy, my heart goes out to you, I hope you find comfort in knowing Charlie is finally at rest, well, that is until the first beautiful red head passes his way. I love you very much and wish you peace. My cousins, Debbie, Andrea, Joy, Mark and Tina, I hope you all find comfort in each other and your families. Charlie will remain in their hearts and souls because he touched them all, and his love will continue to hold them together long after he is gone. Cheers Uncle Charlie, Love Lynne"
"I've had the fortunate opportunity to get to know Charlie over the last 7 years. He came to every family dinner, Holiday, cookout, and was always the guy to talk to, laugh with and listen to his jokes... sometimes the same but still funny! He was very Charlie "to the point" , kind and caring. I will never forget the time he took me into the stairwell in their broadway apartment to sneak a cigarette.. right next to the no smoking sign of course! while Ali and Nana were inside. I figured he was going to give me the usual " take care of my Ali" speech... but he just wanted to talk, see what I was doing. He was a good man and will be missed dearly! His mark on Newport has been left strong and will never be forgotten. All you have to do is look around and he probably built it!"
"My deepest sympathy to the entire family. I knew "Charlie" all of my life as I grew up on the Point with the rest of his family. As I was learning the trade at a young age, I was kicked in the seat of my pants several times by "Charlie" for not holding the hammer by the end of the handle! His beautifully written obituary sure tells it all. He was one of a kind but we need more "Charlies"! I am so sorry to hear of his passing. I had great fun with him for many years."
"Charlie was one of a kind! Knowing him and his family has been an honor for us. His beautifully written obituary in the paper says it all. Our Home is full of Charlie and his wonderful skills and spirit. Our hearts are heavy from the loss. He will be dearly missed and was truely loved by us. To Joy , Tina , Andrea, and the rest of the family, we would like to say that Charlie made the world around him a more beautiful place and enjoyed doing it. Each time we open a draw, admire our woodwork, or stand in our kitchen we will think of him fondly and know that his presence is all around us and will be until we see him again. Our love and sadness, Sandie and Phil"
"Jeremy and I are so sorry for your loss. We send our deep condolences to Aunt Joy, Debbie, Andrea, Mark, Joy, Tina, and their families. Lisa"
"To Uncle Charlie's family, My heart is filled with sorrow of the news of our loved one passing on. Uncle Charlie's family was a very important part of my life growing up and he will truly be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.I will not be able to go the funeral but be assure my thoughts and prayers will be with you. Good bye my Dear Uncle Charlie and say hi to everyone in heaven. Love Kristie"