On February 6, 1940, Cecil Ashenheim DeSouza, was born in Clarendon, Jamaica West Indies. He is the son of George DeSouza and Ivy Sinclair. He grew up in a family of 8 siblings in the rural town of Hayes, Clarendon. Cecil attended Hayes Primary School and went on to complete his high school requirements at Vere Technical High School. After graduating high school, he worked as a draftsman and machinist before immigrating to the U.S.
After his arrival in America, he resided with his brother Sidney and sister Shirley in Brooklyn, NY. He then met his future bride, Marjorie and had two children, Antoinette and Leon. They later divorced but maintained communication.
In 1980, Cecil made the decision to leave NY and migrated to Florida and settled in Palm Bay. He pursued college courses at night and eventually graduated with a degree to become an engineer at the American Space Center, a division of NASA, until his retirement.
Along with his academic and professional accomplishments, Cecil never left his love for his culture far behind. He joined his local church and remained active throughout the years. He was also the founding member of the BCASCA (Brevard Caribbean American Sports & Cultural Association) which allowed him and his associates to continue to provide an outlet for Caribbean residents and give back to the community in a variety of ways.
Cecil enjoyed life immensely, traveling often, playing cricket, dominoes, attending family gatherings, and sharing his love of food and music with many.
In addition to his cultural support, he donated generously to various organizations, clubs and charities. He enjoyed farming and tending to his garden as well.
Cecil DeSouza is survived by his children, daughter Antoinette DeSouza, son Leon DeSouza, grandson David Woods, and great grandson Kenneth Woods residing in New York City, his sister Shirley Burke and brothers Bancroft and Ruddie, his nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, and the rest of the DeSouza family.
Funeral Services will be held at: Church of Our Savior, 1000 Jersey Lane NE, Palm Bay, FL. Interment will take place at: Fountainhead Funeral Memorial Park, 7303 Babcock St. SE, Palm Bay, FL. The repast will follow right after funeral services @ BCASCA Club at 2174 Harris Ave. NE, Palm Bay, FL.
The family of Cecil DeSouza would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to: Roy and Irma Jonas; Joe and Claudette Chin; Rudy and Elsie Duncan; Paul Jacobs and Marcia Thompson; Trevor and Hazel Reynolds; and Sonia and Courtney Shippey for their tireless commitment to him during his time of need as well as to all of the people who touched his life in the same way that he also touched theirs.
“No time to cry, don’t shed a tear. I am with God, in spirit, I am here. I kept the faith, my spirit is light.
I am at peace now. I fought the good fight.”
