Charles Peter Furtado

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.