Joseph D. Souza

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Joseph David Souza, a beloved husband, father, and avô, who passed away peacefully on March 27 at the age of 83.

Joe was born on September 19, 1941, in Fall River and lived a life full of love, kindness, and dedication to his family. He was a devoted husband to Frances Souza for 60 years, a loving father to Rhonda and Joe, and a cherished avô to Sophie and Bennett.

Joe was a veteran of the Army National Guard in which he served from 1960 to 1966. While serving in the Army National Guard, Joe was employed as a systems analyst at Honeywell (and it’s various incarnations) from 1964 to 1988. In 1989, Joe became a financial advisior with Ameriprise. This career was the perfect match of finances and small business ownership that was well suited for Joe. His committment to his clients and his profession was recoginized with the Diamond Ring Award in 2005. Joe retired from Ameriprise in 2012.

Valuing education as a neccessity towards career growth, Joe obtained his Associates in Arts from Bristiol Community College in 1973, a Bachelor of Science from Roger Williams College in 1977, and his Juris Doctor from LaSalle University in 1999.

His family will remember Joe as always “fixing and patching” an assortment of engines and various home mechanical equipment and appliances, however, he’ll be most remembered for those nice sunny days when it was tees off and top down drives in his Nissan 300 ZX, Nissan 350 ZX, or his Mustang Convertible. It was not uncommon for him to pop in a Phil Collins or Fleetwood Mac cassette and grab either his father, wife, or pups and head out for a cruise.

Over the past seven years, Joe has resided at the Blue Hills Nursing Home, due to his Alzheimers, where he was cared for with great compassion by his wife (who was also his toughest advocate) and the staff.

A wake will be held at Oliveira Funeral Home, 2064 South Main Street, Fall River, MA, on Monday April 7th from 4pm to 7pm. His funeral will service will follow on April 8th at 8:45am at the funeral home, followed by a service to honor his life at Our Lady of Grace Church, Sanford Road, Westport, MA, at 10am. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations be made in his name to either the Alzheimers Association or the Forever Paws Animal Shelter in Fall River. Interment will be in St. Patrick's Cemetery, Fall River.

For a livestream of the funeral mass, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/15f3HaW2SH/?mibextid=wwXIfr