Joseph L. Souza, Jr., 81
Dateline: Mansfield, MA
Joseph L. Souza, Jr., age 81, a lifelong resident of Mansfield died peacefully on Thursday, Sept.19, 2013 at Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro.
He was the high school sweetheart and beloved husband of Helena E. “Betty” (Giles) Souza to whom he was wed for the past 59 years.
Joe was born in Mansfield on October 5, 1931 and was a loving son of the late Joseph, Sr. and Louisa (Barros) Souza. He was a 1949 graduate of Mansfield High School.
After graduating high school while also working as a cook at the Rose Garden behind the current site of St. Mary’s Church, Joe served in the United States Army for two years in Germany during the Korean War. Upon his return home, he devoted his life to his family and his passion for cooking.
He graduated with top honors from the Culinary Institute of America in New Haven, CT. in 1956 and was appointed head chef at the Rice Varick Hotel in Manchester, N.H. and later the Wheaton Inn in Norton, MA.
In 1958, Joe purchased and operated the Sullivan Donut Shop in Mansfield, MA and opened the Donut Kettle in Foxboro, MA in 1962 where he worked tirelessly until his retirement in 1986.
Joe was a proud pillar of the Foxboro community where he also served as a member of the Foxboro Rotary and received the prestigious Paul Harris Fellow Award for his dedication and contributions to the community. He cherished his life at the Donut Kettle and all patrons and those who worked at his landmark establishment.
In addition to his beloved wife Betty, he is survived by his son Philip Souza and his wife Susan of Chatham, N.J., his daughter Catherine Sullivan and her husband Ron of Sandwich, MA, his son Peter Souza and his wife Beth of Mansfield, MA, his son James Souza and his wife Paige of Norfolk, MA, and his grandchildren Christine and Michael Roach, Carolyn and Scott Souza, and Daniel Souza. He was the brother of Laura Hinds of West Bridgewater and is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
His funeral Mass, to which relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend, will be celebrated on Monday, September 23rd at 10:30 A.M. in St. Mary’s Church, 330 Pratt St. (Route 106) Mansfield. Burial with military honors will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Mansfield.
Visitation will be held on Monday morning prior to the funeral Mass beginning at 8:30 A.M. at the Sherman & Jackson Funeral Home, 55 North Main St., Mansfield.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Joe’s memory may be made to St. Mary’s Church, 330 Pratt St., Mansfield, MA 02048.
To send the Souza family a message of condolence, please visit www.shermanjackson.com