Custodio Clemente DeSousa, 88, of Lowell, passed away peacefully with his wife and stepchildren by his side on Monday, October 24, 2022 at Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington. He was the beloved husband of Alcinda Cunha with whom he shared 19 years of marriage.
He was born in Olhao, Algarve, Portugal on November 23, 1933 and was a son of the late Manuel DeSousa Custodinho and the late Rosaria Guerreiro. He was raised and educated in Portugal, where he served in the Portuguese Marine Corp. At the age of 26, he relocated to the United States, settling in Lowell where he lived for the rest of his life. He was employed as a mechanic at Canada Dry before working for Budweiser in 1979, retiring at the age of 61.
Custodio was a member of the Portuguese American Civic League ‘The Red’s Club’, the Portuguese American Center ‘The Blue’s Club’, and the Holy Ghost Society of Lowell. He was also a communicant of St. Anthony Church. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, traveling and dancing. He encouraged his family to do the same.
In addition to his wife, Alcinda Cunha of Lowell, he is survived by his stepchildren, Billy Cunha of Lowell, and Susie Cunha Carroll and her husband, Peter of Dracut; his brother, Luciano Custadinho of Lowell; his sons, Leonard DeSousa and Mark DeSousa; and his 3 grandchildren.
He is also survived by his brothers and sisters in law, Mario Veiga of Lowell, Duarte and Leolinda Veiga of Lowell, Joao Manuel and Audrey Veiga of Lowell, and Oriolando and Maria Conceicao Veiga of Hudson, NH; many nieces, nephews and cousins in Portugal. He also leaves behind many good friends.
Custodio was predeceased by his first wife, the late Dorothy DeSousa; his sisters in law, the late Maria Custodinho and the late Maria Natalia Veiga.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to: American Heart Association, 300 5th Ave., Suite 6, Waltham, MA 02451-8750 or at: American Heart Association Link
On Friday, October 28, 2022 all are welcome to attend his calling hours from 3-7 p.m. at McDonough Funeral Home, 14 Highland Street, Lowell, MA 978-458-6816.
Please meet directly at church. On Saturday morning his funeral mass will be offered at 11 a.m. at St. Anthony Church, 893 Central Street, Lowell. Please meet directly at church.
A procession will follow for burial at St. Mary Cemetery in Tewksbury.