Aires de Sousa

Aires de Sousa, age 86, of Acushnet died Thursday, January 15, 2015 at home surrounded by his family after a long illness. He was the husband of Maria N. (Nobrega) Sousa with whom he shared 61 years of marriage.

Born in Gaula, Madeira Island, a son of the late Joao and Jesuina (Pereira) de Sousa, he grew up in Madeira and has lived in Acushnet since 1966.

Aires was a Carpenter with Jan Co Construction in Cranston for over 15 years, retiring in 1993. He was a communicant of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church and was a member of Club Madeirense SS Sacramento in New Bedford. He enjoyed gardening and making his own wine from the CA grapes he grew himself. He also enjoyed cooking, traveling with family and quahogging.

Surviving in addition to his wife are 5 children: Leontina de Sousa of Acushnet, Dolores Sullo and her husband Anthony of Peabody, Luis de Sousa and his wife Mary Beth of New Bedford, M. Goretti Fitzgibbons and her husband Joseph of Chelmsford and John de Sousa of New Bedford; 2 brothers: Manuel de Sousa of South Africa and Daniel de Sousa of Madeira Island; 10 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. He was also the father of the late Jose de Sousa and brother of the late Joao, Tome and Paulo de Sousa.

His Funeral will be held Tuesday, January 20, 2015 at 8:00 am from the ROCK FUNERAL HOME, 1285 Ashley Blvd., New Bedford with a Funeral Mass at 9:00 am in Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church, 136 Earle Street, New Bedford followed by burial in Pine Grove Cemetery. Visiting hours will be held Monday from 4 to 8 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to the Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation, PO Box 871847, Kansas City, MO 64187-1847. Visit www.rock-funeralhome.com for tributes and directions.