Robert A. Souza, 78 of Bluffton, S.C. passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at Coastal Carolina Hospital on February 25, 2021. He was the son of the late Ayres J. Souza and Mary E. (Souza) Souza. Born in Fall River, MA, he was the loving husband for 36 years of Vivian R. (Souza-Oliveira) Souza.
He was the widower of Shirley (Curran) Souza, and is survived by his children: Robert W. Souza of Danielson, Conn., and Jody Lee Souza of Fall River, MA; Stepchildren; Sheila (Oliveira) DeAlmeida, her husband, Michael of Fall River, MA, and Stephanie (Oliveira) Nazzaro of Bluffton, S.C., and the late David Allan Oliveira. Grandchildren; Cassandra Oliveira and Mikallan DeAlmeida of Fall River, MA, and Alexander Nazzaro of Bluffton, SC, and the late David Allan DeAlmeida. He was the brother of Ayres J. (Butch) Souza (wife Susan) of Onset, MA, Elizabeth (Bette) Huchel (husband Richard) of Fall River, MA and Milton F. Souza of Alexandria, VA. He also leaves a niece and several nephews.
A 1960 graduate of Durfee High School, Bob was active in baseball and basketball, and was an avid New York Yankees and Cleveland Browns fan. He enjoyed reading biographies and non-fiction, traveling, going to the library, eating out, doing crossword puzzles, and spending time with his grandchildren.
In 1974, he moved to Somerset where he began pulling double duty working at the Fall River Housing Authority for 32 years and tending bar at night for 25 years at the Venus de Milo. He was a hard worker; giant of a man with a huge heart to match. After years of retirement in Massachusetts and 8 years of vacationing on Hilton Head, Bob and his wife decided to make South Carolina their permanent residence in 2013. Bob was a family man, loved by many. To know him was to love him.
Following Cremation, please join in celebrating Bob’s life at Manuel Rogers Funeral Home, 1521 North Main Street, Fall River, MA, on Saturday March 13, 2021 from 9-11am with memorial service to follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family wishes donations to be made in Bob’s honor to either St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Arcadia Hospice of Bluffton; 1024 Berkeley Hall Blvd., Okatie, South Carolina 29909.
Due to current occupancy restrictions, please be mindful that guests may have to wait outside while others pay their respects.