Loving and beloved, Michael Furtado, age 65, passed away peacefully the evening of June 12, 2021 at his home in Bellingham WA, with his family by side.
Born in New York in 1955, Michael lived in six different states and from coast to coast. He and Kathy married in Israel after meeting just 10 days earlier and shared 38 good years together, raising two children.
Michael had a difficult and lonely childhood in New York City, the son of a single mother. When he was 10, his mother married a professional musician who later adopted Michael and gave him two baby sisters and a little brother. Michael struggled to fit in with the young family and left home as a teenager, completing his GED while supporting himself in various outdoor-related jobs. He worked as a bike and auto mechanic, ski instructor, and Outward Bound instructor. He was physically and mentally gifted, first hiking and bike racing, then teaching himself to ski and eventually becoming certified as a Level 3 (expert) ski instructor by the PSIA. When he moved to the Northwest with Kathy, Michael took up sailing, paddling, and rowing.
Over the years, Michael worked his way through community college and university, becoming an Administrative Law judge and Mediator in Seattle for most of his career. Besides a JD degree, he also earned Master’s degrees in International Studies and Healthcare Administration. He was widely read in geography, international affairs, history, philosophy, psychology, engineering, health, and medicine. He played the French horn and trumpet in school, later taught himself flute, and could quickly learn new instruments. He played drums for Bellevue Christian Reformed Church and briefly for Hillcrest Chapel.
In his adult years, Michael tracked down his birth father, also a professional musician, and discovered that he had two lovely sisters in Florida. Michael traveled the world and sought adventure wherever he went, from running the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu to skiing in Chile, hiking in India and Eastern Europe, and racing rowing shells in Puget Sound. He shared his love of the outdoors, travel, and exploration with his family and friends.
“It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves” - Sir Edmund Hillary
After surviving cancer in 1995, Michael was diagnosed with several disorders that led to progressive disability over many years. He gradually lost his ability to enjoy the outdoor activities he loved most, but never lost his curiosity, sense of humor, or his dedication to his wife and children. Michael will be remembered for his quiet charisma, his listening ear, his intuition and sage advice. He is survived by his wife, son, daughter, granddaughter, sisters, brother, and loyal dog.
The family would like to express their gratitude to our friends, family, and the many wonderful healthcare providers and support folks at Whatcom Hospice, End of Life Washington, Family Care Network, PeaceHealth, UW, Rose’s exercise class, and Dementia Support NW. You made it possible for Michael to remain at home, as he wanted.
A service for Michael will be held Monday, July 5th, 2021, 10 AM at Hillcrest Chapel,
1400 Larrabee Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
. Masks required, vaccines strongly encouraged.
In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to Dementia Support Northwest
https://dementiasupportnw.org/donate/
or to your own favorite charity.