1921
2017
Edward Soza, 96, of Altadena passed peacefully into heaven on Dec. 28, 2017. He was born March 24, 1921 in Benson, Arizona to Juan Moreno Soza and Maria Yanez Soza. Ed graduated from North Phoenix High School in 1940. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1940-1946, during which he received a BA in Economics from Penn. State. He married Phyllis Fine of New Jersey on Aug. 1, 1947 and they celebrated 70 years of marriage.
Ed was passionate about family and researching his roots. He wrote six books on the history of Arizona homesteaders and researched his genealogy back to the 1700's. He was instrumental in meeting and connecting with relatives he discovered, bringing everyone together for Soza family reunions in Tucson, Arizona. There is a room dedicated to the Soza family in the John C. Fremont house, "La Casa del Gobenador" in Tucson, honoring them as one of the founding families of Arizona.
Ed's career in the export business spanned 30 years and took him to the Philippines, Indonesia, South America, and South Africa. He later worked in real estate for 15 years before retiring. He was active in his community serving in the Rotary Club of Altadena, Altadena Town and Country Club, Board of Realtors, Tournament of Roses, Westminster Presbyterian Church, and the Tucson Heritage Foundation.
Ed is survived by his wife, Phyllis; their children, Stacey Guzman of Apple Valley, Holly Nease of San Diego, and Lawrence Soza of Covina; five grandchildren, Heather Cook, Lauren Nease, Ben Nease, Mia Soza and Sarah Soza; and three great-grandchildren, Collins, Jolie, and Shepard Cook. He also survived by two sisters, Josephine Michalec and Raquel Soza, and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service and reception will be held January 13, 10:00 a.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1757 N. Lake Ave. Pasadena, Ca. 91104. A military burial will follow at 2:00 p.m., Mountain View Mortuary, 2400 Fair Oaks Ave. Altadena, Ca. 91001.
The family suggests memorial donations be made in Ed's name to Altadena Rotary or Westminster Presbyterian Church.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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4 Entries
My Condolences to a cousin I would have loved to have met being a Soza, Great Great Granddaughter of Jose Maria III, Granddaughter of Belen VELEN S. Soza Carbajal.. Thank you for writing these books to keep track, I know a lot about our family tree and my Nana who was Belen S. Soza born SOZA married to a Carbajal in Tempe AZ 85281 830 W 12TH STREET, I want to say thank you to My cousin EDD
Jessica MARIE SOZA Carbajal
Family
October 8, 2022
Ed was the catalyst which brought the Sosa/Soza family together for reunions celebrating our family's contribution to the founding of Tucson, Arizona, in 1776. His love and hard work for the Soza family continues today. We extend our condolences to his family as we celebrate his life. He was a wonderful man and he will never be forgotten.
Nazario Gonzales
January 12, 2018
So sorry for your loss Stacy wish I could be there for you sending love from the Navarros love to you honey
January 12, 2018
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
Mountain View Mortuary and Cemetery
January 8, 2018
Showing 1 - 4 of 4 results
Jan
13
2:00 p.m.
Mountain View Mortuary & Cemetery - Altadena2400 North Fair Oaks Avenue, Altadena, CA 91001
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Mountain View Mortuary & Cemetery - Altadena2400 North Fair Oaks Avenue, Altadena, CA 91001
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