Mario L. Sousa

(SOUSA, Mario L.

Mario Lourenco Sousa, 87, of Newington passed away on Monday, (June 20, 2011), in the comfort of his home. He was the beloved husband of Mary (Simao) Sousa for the past 60 years. Born in Lisbon, Portugal, son of the late Jose and Basilisa (Lourenco) de Sousa, he left Portugal at an early age to chase the American dream. Mario settled in the Hartford area where he made a name for himself playing for semi-professional soccer teams, where he made many lifelong friends. Mario tirelessly volunteered his time in the Portuguese community and was an active member of the Portuguese Club of Hartford, serving as its President several times. Mario loved listening to "Fado", the traditional folk music of Portugal. He retired from the construction industry after many years of employment and was a member of Our Lady of Fatima Church in Hartford. A loving father, grandfather and great grandfather, he leaves his daughter and son-in-law Jackie and David Simoes of Avon, three sons and daughters-in-law, Joseph and Otilia Sousa of Newington, Frank and Linda Sousa of West Hartford, and Mario and Anne Sousa of Newington; nine grandchildren Joseph Sousa and his wife Karrie, David Sousa, Frank Sousa, Darryl Sousa and his wife Joy, Benjamin Sousa, Annie Sousa, Nicholas Sousa, Emily Sousa, and Matthew Sousa; three great grandchildren Lily, Elana and Ryan Sousa. He also leaves a brother and his wife, Constantino and Umbelina de Sousa of Newington. In addition, he leaves a special nephew, George and his wife Donna, and several other nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased his first wife, Clarise Silva Sousa and by brothers Carlos, Jose and Francisco de Sousa, and many dear friends too numerous to mention. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to his caregivers over the past several years: Maria Hilda Anasticio, Adelaide Homen, and Rosa Sargsyan and the staff of Vitas Hospice Care, Teri Magennis, and Soila Hernandez.
His funeral service will begin on Thursday at 9:00 a.m. at the Newington Memorial Funeral Home, 20 Bonair Ave., Newington, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary's Church, 626 Willard Avenue, Newington. He will be laid to rest in West Meadow Cemetery, Newington. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Wednesday from 4-8 p.m. at Newington Memorial. To share your sympathy or a memory with his family, please visit us at www.newingtonmemorial.com.