Sean Edward Furey, of West Yarmouth, Massachusetts and formerly of Great Barrington, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. Born February 13, 1982, he was the son of Edward and Jane McDermott Furey.
Sean was a 2000 graduate of Monument Mountain Regional High School and earned his bachelor’s degree Cum Laude in Social Work from Elms College in Chicopee in 2004. Sean was a big presence, standing 6’4”. He excelled in basketball and treasured playing with his brother as his teammate, both in high school and college while serving as Team Captain. In his teenage years, Sean was a member of the New England Colonials, a basketball youth group out of Boston, and had the opportunity to travel overseas with his team. In 2000, Sean was named the Berkshire County Co-Player of the Year. In his senior year in college, he earned Academic All-Conference Honors. Sean continued his love for the sport by taking on the role of coach at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York, and at The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York.
Sean was a kind and sensitive man who enjoyed traveling. He loved to grill and cook, whether it be an original, creative recipe of his own, or making his grandmother’s infamous spaghetti sauce. After living in Florida for several years, Sean relocated to the Cape in 2019 to be with his family. He was then able to spend special time with his beloved nephew Aiden, who affectionately referred to Sean as “Bubba.”
Sean’s care and kindness for others was reflected in his work. He was a wonderful bartender, able to keep up with a crowd while listening to patrons and making all feel important. More recently, Sean was a middle school special education teacher. He was able to bring history to life by telling stories that his students would understand. In addition to his classroom duties, Sean served as the school’s conflict prevention resource. Whenever an issue arose, Sean was the first person called, and most often was able to talk with the students and de-escalate the situation with empathy and caring words. Sean’s manner helped those in need move forward with dignity.
In addition to his parents and nephew, Sean is survived by his brother Kevin and Kevin’s wife Megan. He also leaves his aunts and uncles, Elizabeth Kirby, Mary Ellen and Robert Gray, Jo Ann Holm, and Joseph and Cindy Furey, as well as seven cousins. Sean was predeceased by his sister Megan, who passed at birth, and his beloved dog Murphy.
Funeral Services: Visitation will be held Thursday, May 19, 2022 at St. Joseph’s Church, 414 North Street, Pittsfield, Massachusetts, beginning at 8:45 a.m., with a Liturgy of Christian Burial to begin at 9:30 a.m., led by Monsignor Michael Shershanovich, pastor. Burial will be private. In keeping with Sean’s wishes and his caring manner, memorial donations may be made to Service Net Pittsfield Shelter, the homeless shelter located at the former St. Joseph’s High School, the Eleanor Sonsini Animal Shelter, or your local food bank, and mailed to the Devanny-Condron Funeral Home, 40 Maplewood Ave., Pittsfield, MA 01201
