John C. Ponte, Sr., age 60, of Fall River, Massachusetts, passed away in Fall River on Monday, February 14, 2011, following an illness. Born in the village of Porto Formoso, on the island of Sao Miguel in the Azores, he was a son of the late Gabriel M. Ponte and the late Judite R. Medeiros. A Fall River resident for most of his life, he was employed by the Bristol County Sheriff's Department as a corrections officer on the I.C.E. Unit at the Bristol County House of Corrections in North Dartmouth, Massachusetts. John was a dedicated officer who always displayed concern for his charges and often acted as their advocate in assisting with their various immigration issues. Although John was an avid soccer fan, participating in all aspects of the game as a player, coach and trainer, his favorite pastime was enjoying the company of his family and friends. Surviving family members include two sons, John C. Ponte, Jr., and his wife Gretchen, of Middleboro, MA, and Jeremy Ponte of Fall River, his daughter, Helen M. Ponte, also of Fall River, a brother, Teofilo Ponte and his wife Grace, of Toronto, Canada, three sisters, Mrs. Manuel (Gabriella) Teixeira and Filomena Soares, both of Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel, Azores, and Mrs. Manuel Maria 'Connie' Canto of Fall River. He also leaves four grandchildren, Trevan Goncalves, Tianna Goncalves, Tyrin Goncalves, and Lily Ponte, and several nieces and nephews. John was also a brother in law of the late Manuel Soares. His funeral mass was offered on Friday, February 18, in St. Anne's Church followed by a commital service at Notre Dame Cemetery.