New Bedford- Manuel J. DeSousa age 87 years died Saturday at St. Luke’s Hospital. He was the widow of Elvira (Leal) DeSousa. He was the father of Anarolino and his wife Maria Lisete DeSousa of Dartmouth, and Idalecio and his wife Maria Joao DeSousa of New Bedford. He was the loving grandfather of Carla Da Silva, Kelly Mitchell, Stephanie DeSousa and Amanda DeSousa, He was the great-grandfather of Dylan Da Silva. He was the brother of Aura Silva and Maria Jeronimo both of CA., and the late Laura DeSousa, Eugenia Braga, Alcindo DeSousa and Marcelina Borges. He also was survived by several nieces and nephews.
Mr. DeSousa was the son of the late Manuel J. and Maria (dos Santos) DeSousa. He was born in São Jorge, Açores and has lived in this area since 1973. He was a machine operator at a local textile mill.
Mr. DeSousa’s funeral will be Thursday from the Perry Funeral Home, 111 Dartmouth St. at 8 A.M. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. John the Baptist Church at 9 A.M. Burial will follow at St. John Cemetery. Visiting hours will be Wednesday from 5-8 P.M.