Basil Cleveland De Sousa

Basil Cleveland De Sousa was born on March 4, 1938, in Colon, Panama. He was the third of four children to Myrtle and William De Sousa. After finishing Canal Zone High School, he got his first full time job as a seaman with the Panama Canal and worked his way up to a Tug Boat oiler. He was introduced to Yolanda Gittens by his good friend Lionel Whitaker and the two were married on August 6, 1960. They had three children, Vitelio, Michelle and Javier. The family moved to New York in 1976. Basil continued his marine career first at the Brooklyn Navy Yard and later with the Staten Island Ferry where he retired in 2001 after 20 years of service. During the course of his lifetime Basil fathered 5 more children: Deborah, Karen, Jessica, Kevin and Shantel.

Basilio as he was known to his friends and family was a born entertainer. His annual Father’s Day Boat ride was legendary. People looked forward each year with great anticipation to eating, drinking and dancing the night away while sailing around the Hudson River. He kept this tradition going for fifteen years. His home in Brooklyn, where he lived for 40 years, was the site of many barbecues and parties. He held court at his bar, his pride and joy, in the basement telling jokes and stories.

Basilio organized the first neighborhood association and served as President for a number of years. Under his leadership standing patio lamps were installed in front of each home on the block which not only increased security but also beautified the street. He also started the neighborhood summer block parties which gave neighbors the opportunity to socialize and get to know each other and increased a sense of community. In 2001, he joined his retired friends who started the Panamanian Retirement Breakfast Club a year earlier. Every Wednesday, the friends got together to have breakfast and catch up. The group shared a tight knit brotherly bond that over the years grew to include their families through events like the family picnic (where you could find Basilio frying his famous fish cakes,) the Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas party to name a few.

On November 13th, 2020, Basilio went home to be with his Lord. He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren as he transitioned to his heavenly home. Although we are all shocked by his sudden passing, he leaves behind lots of wonderful memories as a father, grandfather, brother, and friend. We will miss his magnetic smile, his trademark hats, his suave sense of style, his great story telling and larger than life personality that would light up a room. He loved all his children and everyone knew how much he cared for them. His love for his family was evident and noticeable to all who watched him. Basilio was a longstanding member of St Therese Lisieux Catholic Church in Brooklyn, New York.

Basilio leaves behind to cherish his memory his children Michelle Hall, Javier De Sousa, Deborah Owens, Karen Gutierrez, Jessica De Sousa, Kevin De Sousa, Shantel De Sousa; brothers, Valentine De Sousa and Irvin De Sousa; sister, Sylvia Hudson; and grandchildren, John De Sousa, Javier De Sousa II, Marcelina Arciniega, Anjelika De Sousa, Antonio De Sousa, Noel Gordon, Jazmine Page, Christina Gutierrez, Leandra Hall, Nyomi Page, Issac De Sousa, Maceo Hall, David Owens, and Charisma Owens as well as five great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles and friends. His wife Yolanda De Sousa and his son Vitelio De Sousa preceded him in death.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the American Heart Association in his honor. You can make donations online at www.Heart.org or by calling 1-800-242-8721.