Gilbert "Skippy" Ferreira, 75, passed peacefully amongst family on December 3, 2004 at the Blaire House Nursing Home, where he battled an advanced onset of Alzheimers for several years. Born in New Bedford, he was the son of the late Abel and Alexandrina (Mello) Ferreira. He has been a lifelong resident of New Bedford, where he married Mary Elizabeth (Machado) Ferreira on November 25, 1955.
Gilly joined the Army at the age of 17 and served in Asia at the end of World War II. Upon discharge from the service he began a plumbing and heating career at Perfection Oil Company in New Bedford, then worked as a civilian employee at Otis Air Base on Cape Cod. He left for several years to operate Ferreira & Sons Plumbing and Heating then returned to Otis until he retired in 1990. During this tenure at Otis he served as the president of the local N.A.G.E. chapter. In retirement he worked part time for several local funeral homes as a driver and assistant.
He attended Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church as a young man, then became a member of St. John the Baptist Church where he volunteered as a scout master for several years. His next calling took him to St. Francis of Assisi Church to serve as a Eucharistic Minister. He presently was a communicant of Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church.
Family was the driving force in Gill's life.
Survivors include his wife; 5 sons, Steve Ferreira, Mark Ferreira, and his wife Lisa, Michael Ferreira, and his wife Diane, all of New Bedford; David J. Ferreira, and his wife Sarit, of Attleboro and James Ferreira, and his wife Caren, of Dartmouth; a brother, Norman Ferreira, and his wife Rita, of Dartmouth; a sister, Lydia "Lill" Fernandes of California; a brother-in-law, Manuel Ventura of Fairhaven; 9 grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
He was the brother of the late Lionel "Leo" Ferreira, Olga Cordeiro, Otilia "Tilly" Soares, Alice Ventura and Abel Ferreira, Jr.
Funeral from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford Monday, December 6th at 8 AM. Funeral Mass at Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church at 9 AM. Relatives and friends are invited to attend.
Visiting hours Sunday, December 5th from 4-8 PM.
Interment Massachusetts National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Market Ministries, 60 Eighth St., New Bedford, MA 02740.