John G. Faria Esq.

John G. Faria, Esq., age 67, of Westport, MA, died Saturday, March 2, 2013, at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, surrounded by his loving wife and daughters. He was the husband of Barbara A. (Swanson) Faria, to whom he had been married for 38 years, and father of Katherine Faria Reese and Lauren Faria.

Born in Fall River, MA, John was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Celestina (Baieta) Faria and brothers Charles and Joseph. He was a resident of Wellesley, MA, from 1975 until 2000, when he became a resident of Westport, MA.

A 1963 graduate of Somerset High School in Somerset, MA, John graduated magna cum laude with his BA from Brown University in 1967 and graduated cum laude with his JD from Harvard University in 1970.

After being admitted to the Massachusetts Bar in 1970, John started as an associate at the law firm of Palmer and Dodge in Boston. He became a partner in the Public Law department with a practice in public finance, serving as bond council for several municipalities from 1977 to his retirement in 1997.

John was always supportive of the communities where he lived and gave generously of his time as a volunteer. In Wellesley, he served on and was a past chairman of the Wellesley Advisory Committee and was also a member of various town study committees. He was a former board member of the Wellesley Community Center and a parent volunteer for several Town girls' athletic programs. In Westport, he served on the Central Village Improvement Committee, the Capital Budget Planning Committee, and the Westport Harbor Aqueduct Company board as Chairman. He was also a music lover and acted as treasurer for Concerts at the Point, a chamber music series, for several years.

John enjoyed the practice of law for 27 years, originally planning to pursue a second career in teaching after his retirement. His prostate cancer diagnosis coincided with his family's decision to move to Westport, and he opted to enjoy outdoor pursuits and time with his family rather than his anticipated second career. He was an avid tennis player and beginning golfer, and he also enjoyed kayaking, sailing, and swimming; walking the beaches and nature trails in Westport; gardening; and playing paddle tennis in the winter. A devoted father and grandfather, he was known as "Papa" to granddaughter Hannah, age four, and eagerly anticipated their weekly time together.

Surviving in addition to his wife Barbara; daughter Katherine Faria Reese, her husband Kevin, their daughter Hannah Louise, and their expected son John Walter of Natick, MA; and daughter Lauren Elizabeth Faria of Providence, RI; are brother George Faria and his wife Winifred of Somerset, MA; nephew Joseph Faria and his wife Linda, great-nephew Benjamin, and great-niece Lindsay of Fairfield, CT; niece Linda Faria Ogle and her husband John of King, NC; and nephew Jeffrey Faria, his wife Lisa, and great-nephews Jake and Luke of Somerset, MA.

A memorial service for John will be held Friday, March 15, 2013, at 11:00AM in Manning Chapel at Brown University (1-21 Prospect Street, Providence, RI 02912). Relatives and friends are invited. Burial will be private.

John's family wishes to acknowledge the wonderful team at Massachusetts General Hospital who cared for John and to support advances in prostate cancer research and care. In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of John may be made to the MGH Cancer Center. Checks may be made out to Massachusetts General Hospital c/o Development Office, Attn: Lindsay Simpson, 165 Cambridge Street, Suite 600, Boston, MA 02114. Note "in memory of John G. Faria" in the check memo line or in an accompanying note. Gifts may also be made online at www.massgeneral.org/give, where donors may designate the gift in memory of John in the "Tribute Information" section.