Add a Memory
Send Flowers
Make a Donation
James Souza Obituary
Jim was born in Cotuit and graduated from Barnstable High School in 1940. He served our country in the Air Force during World War II and spent much of his tour as crew chief of ground maintenance for the B24 bombers in the South Pacific. Jim returned to the Cape after the war and married his wife Betty in 1946. Together they were known for the beautiful flowers they grew in their gardens and the traditional Christmas wreaths they made from cedar, pine cones, bayberry, and holly. For many years they rented their cottages to the Cotuit Kettleers baseball team's coaches.
Jim worked for the Colonial Gas Co. for 36 years, moving up to management and retiring in 1983. He enjoyed spending winters in Florida, especially in Hollywood and on Marco Island.
His civic contributions to his town and village were many. Jim was a Little League coach, Boy Scout master of Troop 52 of Cotuit, president of the Cotuit Library, and chairman of the Cotuit Historical District Committee. He also served for nine years on the Cotuit-Santuit Water Commission. Jim had been a member of the Master Gardener Association of Cape Cod since 1987 and served as its president for two years. He taught scores of elementary students about life sciences through his presentations of Bud, the Talking Plant. His articles on gardening have been published in a book.
Jim was the husband of the late Betty (Elliott) Souza. He leaves four children, Phil of Cotuit, Connie Hayes and her husband, Richard ,of Pembroke, Bill and his wife, Michelle, of West Hartford, Conn., and Lindy Allen and her husband, Nick, of Mashpee. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Alynn Berry, Stacey Souza, Ryan and Meghan Hayes, Sean Allen, Adam and David Souza. He also leaves his dear friend, Elaine Berglof.
Visiting hours will be in the John-Lawrence Funeral Home, 3778 Falmouth Road (Route 28), Marstons Mills, on Thursday, Nov. 6, from 4 to 7 p.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, Nov. 7, at 11:30 a.m., in Christ the King Church, Mashpee Commons, Mashpee.
Donations in his memory may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, 4463 Falmouth Road, Cotuit, MA 02635, or to Middlewoods of Farmington, 509 Middle Road, Farmington, CT 06032.
View All Photos
Add Photos to Memorial
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Dianne Jones
December 6, 2008
Dear Lindy,
I'm so sorry to hear of your father's passing. You have my deepest sympathy.
Nancy Bidwell
November 16, 2008
Souza Family - Roger and I were very sad to hear of the passing of your Dad. Our summers in Cotuit are such a wonderful memory for Roger and I, but especially for Casey and Shane. Your Mom and Dad were such loving, patient people. Please know you are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Roger and Nancy Bidwell
Jackie MacKinnon
November 8, 2008
Dear Connie and Family,
I just learned of your Dad's passing and am so very sorry for your loss. I was pleased to have met him at your retirement and I know he must have been a very special man as his great qualities show in you!
Love, Jackie MacKinnon, Middleboro, Ma
November 8, 2008
Dear Lindy, Nick and Sean,
So sorry to learn of your loss...our thoughts and prayers go out to you...let your wonderful memories of him bring you peace and comfort...love you and miss you...Jane, John, Justin and Jessie
How you can show support
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Follow this page
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Debra Eosue
November 7, 2008
Dear Connie,
Sorry to hear of the loss of your Dad.
Thinking of you,
Janine (Morin) Smith
November 7, 2008
To Phil AND Bill and family including my nieces Alynn and Stacy, I am so sorry for your dad and grampa passing. I know it was his time but it is always very hard to let go. Just remember that you will never let go of him in your heart. He will forever have that special place that is reserved just for him. You may visit him often in that place and as the poem I posted says, he is with you at all times too.
My love to all,
Janine and Auntie Janine
Janine (Morin) Smith
November 7, 2008
To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."
It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.
God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.
When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.
I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.
There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.
If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.
So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.
And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.
Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998-2008
Lindy Allen
November 7, 2008
Thank you to everyone for thinking of our family during this time. We all have wonderful memories of Dad that will last a lifetime. We miss him but know he's in a better place and enjoying his next lifetime. Thank you again.
Duncan Reid
November 6, 2008
Phil and family: thinking of you and wishing you peace in the memory of Jim. He always had a smile and a kind word. He will be missed.
Wayne and Elaine Rankin
November 6, 2008
Dear Connie, Richard, Ryan and Meghan,
We are so sorry for your loss. Jim was a kind, generous, talented, lovely and loving man. We will miss him.
Love and Prayers,
Elaine and Wayne
Roberta Clark
November 6, 2008
I am so sorry for your loss. Jim was one of my mentors and I have some beautiful Kousa dogwoods that he gave me as seedlings. I think of him when I see them.
Paul & Nancy Lavallee
November 6, 2008
Dear Connie,
We were sorry to hear of the loss of your dad. Our condolences to you and your family. Please keep in touch.
Lori and Jeff Scudder
November 5, 2008
Phil and family,
We are sending our love at this sad time. We are sharing in your grief and wishing you and the family comfort and peace.
Mark Koomey
November 5, 2008
Thinking of all you Souzas today.
I will miss him.
Mark Koomey
Diane Harper
November 5, 2008
Dear Connie and Family, I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your father.
My deepest sympathy,
Diane (Cobb) Harper
November 5, 2008
I am so sorry for the loss of this wonderful man.
Showing 1 - 16 of 16 results
Make a Donation
in James Souza's name
How to support James's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor James Souza's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
