Joseph P. "George" Britto, 85 of New Bedford died March 8, 2003 at St. Luke's Hospital after a brief illness.

He was the son of the late Pedro M. and Gertrude S. (Almeida) Britto.

A lifelong resident of New Bedford, he was a parishoner of Our Lady of the Assumption Church.

Mr. Britto was a self-employed mason until his retirement. During World War II, he manned the West Island Lookout Tower and was later the Historian for the Lookout Tower.

He was a member of the Merchant Mariners Club and Masons Union Local 39, and was an honorary member of the New Band Club.

Survivors include son, Terrance Lopes of New Bedford; 3 daughters, RoseMarie (Carlisle) Busnengo, and her husband Peter, and Dawn M. Lopes, all of New Bedford, and Sharon (Lopes) Dixon of Taunton; 3 brothers, Roy Britto of Wareham, and Benjamin Britto and Peter Britto, and his wife Avis, all of New Bedford; 2 sisters, Evelyn Gomes and Maria Almeida, both of New Bedford; a brother-in-law, Bartolomeu M. Gomes of New Bedford; 4 grandchildren, Kayla Busnengo, Alex Busnengo, Nina Busnengo and Jillian Lopes; 5 godchildren, Anita Barros, Kiloa Almeida, Allan Monteiro, Victor Fonseca and Patricia Barboza; and several nieces and nephews.

He was the brother of the late Manuel P. Britto.

Funeral from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New BedfordWednesday, March 12th at 8 AMFuneral Mass at Our Lady of the Assumption Church at 9 AM.Relatives and friends are invited to attend.

Visiting hours Tuesday, March 11th from 5-8 PM.

Interment St. John's Cemetery.