Ernest Souza

Souza, Ernest (Ernie), 73, of Hawthorne, formerly of Waldwick passed away on February 5, 2014 while visiting his family in Atlanta.

Ernie was born on July 18, 1940 and grew up in New Bedford, MA.

He is survived by his wife Wanda; his children John Paul Souza, Calvin Youngblood and Celeste Yoshida his granddaughter Olivia Souza and brothers Arthur and Kenneth Souza of Dartmouth, MA along with sister Patricia Dupuis of New Bedford and daughter-in-law Ahn Souza, son-in-law Steven Yoshida and many nieces and nephews.. He is pre-deceased by his parents Arthur Souza and Julia (Vieira) Souza and his sisters Loretta Lizotte and Rosemarie Lovegrove-Dupont.

Ernest proudly served in the US Army 97th Signal Battalion from December 1958 thru January 1961.

He went on to graduate from University of Massachusetts in 1966 with a degree in business management and accounting. Excelling in International Sales, Ernest worked for Malden Mills as their Director of Sales for 11 years and then continued his career at Springs Industries as their Director of International Sales until retirement.

In retirement, he worked part time at the Hawthorne Public Library. He loved watching his New England Patriots and Boston Red Sox and never quite figured out how his son John ended up a Yankees and Cowboys fan. He loved his English Bulldogs Sidney and Sidney Winston and after they both passed away he could not bear to get another bulldog.



Ernest possessed unquestionable integrity and lived life according to his word which was never broken. He had a great sense of humor and was the type of person who always helped others without any thought of reciprocation. He was the most loyal friend you could ever have.

Ernest was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post#170, Moose Lodge #914, and member of the Portuguese American Social Club and PBA Local #200.




His funeral will be Friday March 21st, 2014, from Perry Funeral Home, 111 Dartmouth Street at 9 A.M. with a Funeral Mass at 10 A.M. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish at St. James Church, on County St., New Bedford, MA. Burial will follow at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, MA at 12:30pm. Visiting hours at Perry Funeral home will be Thursday March 20th, 2014 from 4-7 P.M. Online memorial and further information at www.ERNESTSOUZA.com