John J. Sousa Sr.

JOHN J. SOUSA SR. -in Woburn, Saturday, March 26th, beloved husband of Joan F. (Wildes) Sousa. Devoted father of Tracey A. Medeiros, John J. Sousa Jr. and his wife Leonilda,and James W. Sousa and his wife Diddia, all of Woburn. Dear brother of Paul Sousa of Wilmington and the late David Sousa and Lillian Domenici. Loving grandfather of Shaunacy, Killian and Reilly Medeiros, Genevieve and John Sousa. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend a Funeral Service in the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home, 263 Main Street, Woburn on Wednesday, March 30th at 9:00 a.m. Burial will follow in Woodbrook Cemetery, Woburn. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. Donations may be made in Mr. Sousa’s memory to the Massachusetts Downs Syndrome Congress, MDSC Development Committee, PO Box 866, Melrose, MA 02176.

OBITUARY;

John J. Sousa passed away peacefully, Saturday March 26th. The beloved husband of Joan F. (Wildes) Sousa, he was seventy three years of age.

Born in Cambridge he was the son of the late John and Marion (Johnson) Sousa. He was raised in Somerville and was a graduate of the Somerville Vocational School. Following High School he enlisted in the United States Air Force. Upon his return he and some friends were in Boston and he was introduced to Joan Wildes, the woman he was to marry one year later and with whom he spent the next fifty years with. They lived in the Boston area for about a decade, and in 1971 bought a home here in the Central Square section of the city where they have remained.

Together they brought three children into the world whom he adored. Mr. Sousa was a very hard worker and on Saturdays he always held a second job as a mechanic. Every Saturday morning he would take his twin sons with him wherever the job took him. Always showing, teaching and sharing with them all different aspects of his work. During his lifetime, Mr. Sousa had worked as a mechanic at Coke Distributors, GMC, where he had worked his way to Service Manager and then in the early eighties began working for Reading Light from where he retired.

All through out their lives the Sousa’s loved to travel. From the time the children were young right up until last year they had all travelled all over the country. He loved taking his family camping going from tents to campers to motor homes. Travelling up to Canada, down to Disney World , to the Grand Canyon, California and home. In 2001 he and his wife had their dream vacation and travelled all across the United States, visiting all but three states.

Anything Mr Sousa ever did throughout his life, he always enjoyed doing it. Playing cards, challenging his family to a cribbage game , or fixing the hydrolics on a truck, he enjoyed it all. Being a true gentleman, and a man full of love and endless kindness, has left a legacy for his family which will warm their hearts forever.

In addition to his parents, Mr Sousa was predeceased by his sister Lillian Domenici and brother David Sousa.

In addition to his loving wife of fifty years Joan F. (Wildes) Sousa he was the devoted father of Tracey A. Medeiros, John J. Sousa Jr. and his wife Leonilda,and James W. Sousa and his wife Diddia, all of Woburn. Dear brother of Paul Sousa of Wilmington.Loving “Papa” of Shaunacy, Killian and Reilly Medeiros, Genevieve and John Sousa. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend a Funeral Service in the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home, 263 Main Street, Woburn on Wednesday, March 30th at 9:00 a.m. Burial will follow in Woodbrook Cemetery, Woburn. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. Donations may be made in Mr. Sousa’s memory to the Massachusetts Downs Syndrome Congress, MDSC Development Committee, PO Box 866, Melrose, MA 02176.