Everett "Eddie" Souza

Eddie Souza was born and raised in Santa Clara, CA, and was a proud third-generation Santa Claran. He attended local schools and colleges, earning an A.A. Degree at Mission College, and later advancing to San Jose State University majoring in Social Science and minoring in Business Administration.

Eddie joined the Naval Reserves and was then activated and served on the United States Navy Air Craft Carrier Richard Bon Homme during the Vietnam War. Because of his stellar service he received a Navy Unit Citation, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal. After his naval service, Eddie returned to Santa Clara and met his wife, Lavelle. They married in 1974, and in 1975 they gave birth to their beautiful son, Jerry.

Eddie and his wife were Co-founders of the organization Parents Helping Parents, which focuses on assisting fami¬lies with special needs children. Additionally, Eddie was involved in numerous community organizations and was Chairperson of the Santa Clara Citizens Advisory Committee.

Eddie was elected to the Santa Clara City Council in 1979 where he served a six-year term. In 1985 he was elected as The City’s mayor and was later re-elected for a second term in 1990. In his leadership role representing the Mission City that he so dearly loved, Eddie served on the Santa Clara County Transportation Commission, Santa Clara Valley Water Commission, Santa Clara County Inter-City Council, Santa Clara City Anti-Crime Committee, Santa Clara Youth Service Bureau Advisory Board, Mayor’s Task force on Child Care, and the Inter-Governmental Council’s Child Care Task Force.

His commitment to helping others was endless, he never stopped giving. Eddie assisted with obtaining funding for The Family Living Center, The Mid-Peninsula Support unit for Battered Women and Children, a family counseling center, and special programs for Senior Citizens. His close colleagues and friends remember him as always “standing up for the underserved” as well as being an advocate for the average resident of Santa Clara. Eddie also had affiliations with the Police Athletic/Activities League (PAL), International Association of Machinist and Aerospace Workers, Education Recreation Associates, 4-H Club, Santa Clara American Legion Post #419, Mission College Alumni Association, the Old Quad Homeowners Association, and was a positive voice for Santa Clara residents living North of Bayshore.

Because of his commitment to community, in 1986 Eddie received the California Community College’s Distinguished Alumni Award, joining other accomplished recipients (George Lucas, Elton Rule, Rear Admiral Allen E. Hill, John Marquez, and Bonnie Guiton).

Eddie was a dedicated supporter of city parks, recreation programs and sports. He was also instrumental in bringing the 49er Training Facility and the new state-of-the-art Levi Stadium to the City of Santa Clara.

Eddie was always concerned about citizen public safety and had many friends who were first responders. He spent more than 10,000 hours on patrol with local police, firefighters, and other emergency personnel so he could see first-hand the challenges faced by public safety workers.

Eddie is predeceased by his parents, Marie and Eddie Souza, grandparents, aunts and uncles. He is survived by his beloved wife, Lavelle, son Jerry, brothers John and Armand. Eddie will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Visitation will be held on Friday, July 22, 2016 from 5-9PM with Rosary at 7PM at Lima Family Santa Clara, 466 N. Winchester Blvd., Santa Clara, CA, 95050. Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, July 23, 2016 at 11AM at Our Lady of Peace Church, 2800 Mission College Blvd., Santa Clara, CA, 95054. Interment to follow at Santa Clara Mission Cemetery. Family and Friends will return to Our Lady of Peace for a luncheon reception, a Celebration of Life and Tribute to Eddie Souza.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to:

The YMCA of Silicon Valley, Central Branch, Attn: Barbara Cardenas, 1717 The Alameda San Jose, CA 95126, or Parents Helping Parents, 1400 Parkmoor Ave., Ste 100, San Jose, CA 95126, or The “Eddie Souza” Scholarship Fund, benefiting Veterans at Mission College. Send donation c/o: West Valley-Mission College Foundation, 14000 Fruitvale Ave. Saratoga, CA, 95070.