Antonio Flores Sousa

Obituary For Antonio Flores Sousa

On February 18, 2026, Ash Wednesday, António Flores Sousa passed into eternity with loved ones present. Providentially, he marked 86 years of pious devotion, lying with the Church's imposition of ashes upon his head and a timeworn rosary by his heart, as he concluded his earthly pilgrimage. António led a life full of service to his family and local community. He reflected the beatitudes daily, cooperating virtuously with God's grace–sowing a beautiful life.

Born July 11, 1939 to Francisco Luiz Sousa and Helena Flores Sousa, António was the eldest of four. He spent his early years tilling the family's land in Urzelina. Amidst the solitude of São Jorge island, he practiced a quiet life of charity, helping his father herd cattle. António would go on to serve his country at the military airbase in Terceira. A humble bearer of the name of St. António of Lisbon, he honored his patron through prayerful action, befitting the Portuguese Friar. For a livelihood, António sailed the Azorean waters as a skilled fisherman, habitually relying on God's protection, often spending days at sea.

As a young man, he started dating Albertina Sousa whom he had known since childhood. António and Albertina Sousa were then united in Holy Matrimony on October 7, 1964 by Fr. António Brazil at Igreja de São Mateus, Urzelina. With covenantal love, their union harvested bountiful life, giving birth to Tony, Maria, Natal, and Frank, before immigrating to the United States in the summer of 1975. During these transitional years he worked tiresome days on central valley diaries to provide for his growing family. In 1977, they would give birth to their youngest child, Helena, in Hanford, CA. António would eventually lead his family to Newark, CA, desiring to provide, first and foremost, an opportune future for his children.

The Sousas graciously devoted themselves to the local Portuguese community in Newark. Parishioners at St. Edward Catholic Church heard António's voice weekly during Mass, singing in the Portuguese choir. A profound faith, compelled the otherwise meek António to glorify his Lord with beautiful hymns for many years. After Mass, he could be found processing behind Nossa Senhora with the Filarmónica Recreio do Emigrante Português band, gracefully playing the trombone. On the homefront, this quiet man of faith took pride in ministering to his garden, supplying his wife daily with fresh ingredients. Such natural collaboration would oftentimes culminate into a hearty soup, feeding a table surrounded by their grandchildren: Mikayla, Calvin, Sebastian, Austin, Jacob, Heather, Allison, Nicholas, and Joshua.

António joins his beloved wife, Albertina; brothers, Francisco and Manuel; and his parents in the hope of the Resurrection. His memory is lived out through his sister Mariazinha, five children, and nine grandchildren. António Flores Sousa will be remembered for leading a sacramental life, displaying Christ-like temperance, and sowing seeds of steadfast faith in his family and community.

May the glorious light of Christ beacon and lead him to the eternal harbor of his Father, through Christ our Lord.