Frank Russell DeSouza (Russ), born September 14th 1955, passed from a heart attack suddenly and unexpectedly while at work at Electric Boat in Groton, CT on Monday, August 22, 2016.
He leaves behind his beloved wife of forty years, Bonnie Maynard DeSouza. Frank and Bonnie were married on July 24th, 1976. They had two children, Heidi Myers of Norwich, CT and Mark DeSouza of North Stonington, CT. Frank is dearly missed, not only by his wife and children, but by his three surviving grandchildren, Isaiah Brown of Westerly, RI, Elijah (Louie) Myers and Tavah Myers of Norwich, CT.
Frank excelled in his dutiful, hard work at Electric Boat in a career that spanned forty years, decorated with achievements and specialized trainings. He was due to receive a reward this coming October commemorating his excellence in work.
Frank will be remembered and missed deeply by his numerous coworkers, copious friends and large extended family who thought so highly of him for his sharp wit and sense of humor, his extremely generous and compassionate nature, his love of family and festivity and his wide-ranging natural talents including playing the drums (and guitar) from the young age of nine years old, one of many of his life-long passions.
Other interests and hobbies of Frank, included over the years, was his love for nature and the outdoors. Frank once climbed Mt. Washington in New Hampshire and canoed the Allagash River in Maine with good friends and coworkers. Photography, particularly of nature and family and friends, was another of Frank’s loves and he would often take solo motorcycle rides to various places of natural beauty, locally, to take photos. Fortunately he leaves us with his cherished photo collection. No mention of Frank’s passions and interests would be complete without acknowledging his die-hard fanaticism for the New England Patriots where he would often shout at the TV during bad plays or remain despondent and down for days if they lost a game.
In addition to his wife, children and grandchildren, Frank is survived by his two sisters, Phyllis DeSouza Barr of North Kingstown, RI and Cindy DeSouza of Voluntown, CT. Two sisters in law, Carrie Michon of Voluntown, CT and Darlene Maynard Olds of Texas City, TX. Three brothers in law, Steven Barr of North Kingstown, RI, Gary Olds of Texas City, TX and Rande Erickson of Baxter, MN.
Frank maintained a close and constant communication over the phone with his many other extended family members including cousins, aunts, uncles, nephews and nieces all of whom he loved and cared for deeply.
Frank was pre-deceased by his mother Caroline Lawrence DeSouza of Mystic, CT and his father Frank DeSouza of Mystic, CT.
A Funeral Service will be held on Sunday, September 11, at 2:00pm at the Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl St. Mystic, CT with a reception to follow at the Mystic Hilton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the American Heart Association.
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