Francis Sousa

Francis A. Sousa, age 95, a longtime resident of Lynnfield, died Monday, November 11, Veterans Day, at his residence.

Born in Cleveland, OH on November 22, 1923 he was the son of the late Francis M. and Lillian (Faucon) Sousa.

Mr. Sousa was raised in Wakefield and was a graduate of Wakefield High School, Class of 1942. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps., proudly serving his country during WWII, and beginning a military career that would span 42 years, until his retirement at the age of 60. When Mr. Sousa returned from the war, he married his high school sweetheart, the late Marie (Martin) and the two began their family in 1948 in Wakefield. Soon after, in 1950, they settled in Lynnfield where they raised their family of five children in the family home on Edward Avenue; a home he built himself.

Mr. Sousa had many hobbies and interests. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved fly fishing and hunting. He loved model railroading and stamp collecting, but his greatest joy was his gardening. He was a member of the American Iris Society and the Iris Society of Massachusetts; his home garden often being a stop of Iris tours. Mr. Sousa was a past officer of the Lynnfield Historical Society and loved reading and history. Above all, he loved his family and most especially cherished time spent with his grandchildren.

He was the beloved husband of the late Marie (Martin) Sousa. He was the loving father of Mary-Lynda Daley and her husband Charles of Cohasset, Andrea Abbruzzese and her husband David of Kingston, Jay Sousa of Burlington, VT, Jayne Reed and her husband Allan of Warwick, RI and the late Martin Sousa. He was the brother of Joseph, Albert, Phillip, and William Sousa, and the late Edna Reed. He was the cherished "Umpa" of Bronwen Santacroce and her husband James, C. Grant Daley and his wife Allison, Erin Abbruzzese, Burke Reed and his fiancée Haley Osbourne, and Allyn Reed. He is also survived by his great grandchildren: Caroline, William, and Reese Santacroce and Grace, Charlie, and Thomas Daley; as well as many nieces and nephews.

His Funeral will be held from the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., WAKEFIELD on Monday at 10 AM followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Maria Goretti Church, 112 Chestnut St., Lynnfield at 11 o'clock. Relatives and friends may call at the Funeral Home on Sunday from 12-3 PM. Interment, St. Patrick Cemetery, Stoneham.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Iris Society of Massachusetts, 42 Monument St., Medford, MA 02155-6716 or to the charity of one's choice.

November 17, 2019
12:00 PM to 3:00 PM

McDonald Funeral Home
19 Yale Ave
Wakefield, MA 01880
(781) 245-3550

November 18, 2019
11:00 AM

St. Maria Goretti Church
112 Chestnut St.
Lynnfield, MA 01940