Jose Ferro Jr.

Jose “Joe” Lomelino Alves Ferro Jr. passed away suddenly on Thursday, June 16, 2016. He was 58 years old. He was a loving husband and dedicated father. Joe was the sixth child and second son of the late Alice C. (Camacho) and Jose L. A. Ferro. Born in New Bedford and raised in South Dartmouth, he was educated at Bishop Stang High School. Upon graduating, Joe followed in his father’s footsteps and became a licensed refrigeration technician. He was employed by the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth as the Dining Hall and Campus Center’s HVAC supervisor, a position he held for 39 years. Later in his career, Joe would become a successful entrepreneur as the founder and president of GI Pro Health, an online vitamin and supplement retailer which now ships across the continental U. S. and internationally. Additionally, Joe was a talented and passionate musician. He spent much of his 20’s and early 30’s as the drummer for a popular wedding band on the South Coast. In his later years, he played with the Folk Group at St. Mary’s Church in Fairhaven. His passion for music was matched only by his passion for Stock Car Racing as both an ardent follower of NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series, and also as a professional, racing “street stock” at Seekonk Speedway in Seekonk, Massachusetts, where he was the recipient of numerous accolades. In his leisure time, Joe was an avid golfer and would spend many of his weekend days on the course with his friends. Joe believed strongly in charitable causes. He was a longtime volunteer for Our Lady of the Angel Catholic Association and a member of the Club Madeirense S. S. Sacramento, Inc., where he served as a “festeiro” in 1980. As the father of a son with autism, Joe was a tireless advocate for the autism community. In addition to his wife of 30 years, Pamela J. (Silvia) Ferro, he is survived by his two sons: Attorney Marcus D. Ferro and Isaiah J. Ferro of Fairhaven, MA; six sisters: Rosemary L. Ferro of South Dartmouth, Cecilia Olsen of Mesa, Arizona, Cynthia Simerly and her husband, Dennis of Tigard, Oregon, Paula M. Stenger and her husband, Gerhard of West Roxbury, Maryann Ferro of New Bedford, and Angelica Ferro of South Dartmouth; two brothers, Gerard M. Ferro of Homosassa Springs, Florida, and Jacinto A. Ferro of Crystal River, Florida; several godchildren, and many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of “Joe” to the Gottschall Autism Foundation, P. O. Box 1747, Mattapoisett, MA 02739

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