Manuel “Peter” Furtado Gabriel
December 7, 1927 – July 7, 2023
Manuel F. Gabriel (Peter) of Somerville, MA passed away in his home peacefully with loved ones by his bedside, on Friday morning, July 7, 2023. He was 95 years old. He was predeceased by his devoted wife Cidalia Gabriel and infant daughter Carmelia de Fatima.
Peter was the loving father of Joseph Gabriel and his partner James Strong of Somerville and Humberto Gabriel and his wife Filomena (Serpa) of Billerica. Cherished grandfather of Melinda Lima and her husband Steven of Rockport, Lisa Melanson and her husband John of Nashua NH, and Emily Gabriel of Billerica. Beloved great-grandfather of Leland Lima and Lucas Melanson.
Peter was born in the island of Pico in the Azores. He was the son of the late Pedro and Mariana Furtado. Brother of the late Antonio, Maria, and Mariana (all from Pico) and Francisco (Vancouver Canada), survived brother of Palmira and Conceicao both from Vancouver Canada.
Peter married Cidalia in 1951 and in 1964 they decided that he would go to America to establish a better life for his family. Peter was a painter and a plasterer, he was sponsored by a gentleman he called “Speedy” and he worked for him for a few years full time until he was approved to stay in the US. He then traveled back to Pico in 1968 and brought over his wife Cidalia and their two sons, Joe and Humberto, in 1969. They lived in Arlington for a year with family, before settling down in Somerville in the same home that he peacefully took his last breath in.
Peter was grateful for the opportunity that America gave him, he worked at Harvard University during the day as a proud custodian, worked weeknights cleaning office buildings and continued to work for “Speedy” on Saturday’s. Peter and Cidalia traveled back to Lajes do Pico as often as they could to visit family and friends.
He retired from Harvard University after working there for almost 20 years. During his retirement he enjoyed his time with his family, playing ball with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, then playing cards and dominos when getting outside was a little harder. He took pride in being a homeowner and enjoyed working in his garden, especially when his tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers had good harvests. He also enjoyed his “latada”, his tiny vineyard space at the back of the house where he would sit and relax under its shade, and in the fall he would make wine with his grapes.
He was a member of PACL - Portuguese American Civic League of Somerville and Cambridge.
Peter will be remembered as someone that would always help you if you needed a hand, a jokester, a family man, a humble man and a very strong man.
A visitation will be held at Rogers Funeral Home, 380 Cambridge Street in Cambridge on Monday, July 10, 2023, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Anthony’s Church, 400 Cardinal Medeiros Avenue in Cambridge on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. Those wishing to travel in procession to the church may gather at the funeral home in Cambridge at 9:00 am.