Gilberto Manuel de Moura Sousa, 74, of Somerville passed away on Tuesday, December 2nd, in Tyngsboro, MA. Born and raised in Sao Pedro, Azores, he was the son of the late Manuel DeSousa and Inês da Ascensão Moura Resendes. Gilberto Sousa was a widely recognized and talented cantador de desafio (improvisational singer/poet) from the island of Santa Maria in the Azores. He was known for his genuine gift for improvisational singing, and his passing is considered a significant loss to Azorean popular culture. Several videos of singing challenges featuring Gilberto Sousa can be found online, helping to preserve the memory of his art.
Gilberto was the beloved husband of Ana Isabel (Silva) Sousa, and the devoted father of Fabio Sousa and his wife Allison, Catia Frasier and her husband John, Joseph Sousa and his partner Emily Alejandro, and the late Roberto Sousa. He was the loving grandfather of Dre, Bryanna, Jasmine, Jonathan, Jenna, Nicholas, Izzabela and Lucas, and the great grandfather of Azrael. Gilberto was the dear brother of Helena Barros and her husband Antonio, and Dinis Sousa and his wife Zelia. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Visiting hours will be held on Monday, December 8th from 4 to 8 PM in the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., Medford, and again on Tuesday, December 9th at 9 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated in St. Anthony Church, 12 Properzi Way, Somerville, at 10 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Services will conclude with burial at St. Paul Cemetery, Arlington.