James Souza's Obituary
James G. Souza, Jr. “Jim”, 80, died peacefully Saturday, April 23, 2016 following surgery at Florida Hospital Tampa. Jim passed away surrounded by his wife of 52 years, Mary, his children, grandchildren, family and friends all of whom held on to Jim until he left this world.
Born on December 6, 1935 to James G. Souza, recent immigrant from the Azores Islands and his wife, Rose Marshall Souza, Jim grew up in East Falmouth, Cape Cod, Massachusetts among a large hardworking Portuguese family that raised strawberries, worked on a farm and attended St. Anthony’s Catholic Church.
After graduating for Falmouth’s Lawrence High School in 1954, Jim enlisted in the U.S. Army for three years serving with distinction with the Military Police. An excellent athlete, Jim was one of the best baseball pitchers in the U.S. Army playing for his posts. He used his GI benefits to attend technical school and later college in California spending his most productive time on the baseball field.
Jim met the one true love of his life in Mary Brophy. They were married on April 11, 1964 and for the next 52 years, moved to Florida, raised four children, moved to Washington, D.C., traveled all over the world and loved each other like no other couple.
Jim is survived by his wife, Mary, beloved daughter, Shannon Crown (Souza). Sons, James III, Thomas (Lori), and Randy (Robyn). Jim has 10 grandchildren and is survived by a sister, Theresa Pappas (Souza). He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Joseph Souza.
Jim was a devout Catholic and a 47-year member of the Espiritu Santo Catholic parish in Safety Harbor. Jim and Mary made many personal sacrifices so their 4 children could receive Catholic schooling.
Jim was an avid Boston Red Sox fan 365 days a year. He was also a 19-year cancer survivor and died after an extensive surgery to revise his previous cancer surgery in 1997. Cancer did not kill Jim Souza – He was too tough for that.
Jim came to Clearwater as a letter carrier in 1969 intending to devote his time raising his young active family. Inevitably, Jim became a local union leader serving as President of Clearwater Branch 2008 National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) for 20 years. He rose to national prominence after being unjustly fired from the postal service in 1977. Jim was later ordered back to work, and in 1978 was nationally elected to serve the NALC in Washington, D.C. where his finished his career as the Assistant Secretary/Treasurer.
Jim Souza was a tough, caring union leader who selflessly served his fellow letter carriers treating them as members of his own family. He fought for workplace justice and helped many carriers return to work after losing their jobs. He spent many years traveling to all parts of the U.S. meeting with letter carrier families.
The Souza family has requested that in lieu of flowers, that all donations be made to “NALC Branch 2008” for “The James G. Souza, Jr. Scholarship Fund” 230 N. Pinellas Ave., Tarpon Springs, FL 34689 (727) 809-1776.
The visitation will be held on Thursday from 5-8 pm at Trinity Memorial Gardens, 12609 Memorial Dr, New Port Richey, FL 34655. Funeral Mass to be held on Friday morning 10:00 am at Espiritu Santo Catholic Church, 2405 Philippe Pkwy, Safety Harbor, FL 34695 followed by burial at Trinity Memorial Gardens.
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