James "Skip" Joseph Souza

James “Skip” Joseph Souza, 65, of Rose Hill, N.C. formerly of Providence and Warwick, R.I., passed away on Saturday, September 24, 2016 at New Hanover Regional Medical Center, in Wilmington, NC. Skip was born on May 4, 1951 in Providence, R.I. to Rita Leonardo Souza and the late Thomas James Souza. Skip is also preceded in death by his brother, Thomas Lloyd Souza.

Skip is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Irene Souza; son, Jason “Jay” Souza (Lindsey);2 grandsons, Travis and Riley Souza; sister, Alice Boucher and his “adopted” children, David Lallier and Kathryn Williford.

Skip served his country honorably in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. For pleasure, he spent countless hours fishing in Narragansett Bay. He and his brother Tom fished nearly every weekend, rain or shine, all year long. When he wasn’t fishing, he was taking his family to the shores to clam, fish and simply enjoy the salt air of the bay or the southern coast of R.I. He worked in a shipyard, building submarines at Electric Boat. His love for North Carolina inspired him to relocate his family there in the mid 90’s. They found a house in the country where he tinkered in the yard morning until dark creating a beautiful place for his family to enjoy. He was a generous and loving husband, father and Pepa to his immediate and “adopted” families. He will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

A memorial service will be held at the Andrews Mortuary, Hampstead Chapel, on Thursday, September 29 at 2pm. The family will receive visitors at the home of Jay Souza afterwards at 101 Derby Lane, Hampstead.