Obituary of JOSE CABRAL De SOUSA

JOSÉ CABRAL DE SOUSA

It is with immense sorrow we announce the sudden passing of José de Sousa.  José passed in the serenity of his home on Sunday, April 16th, 2023 at the age of 73.

José is survived by his son Sergio (Marcy); grandson Brian; sisters Maria and Eduarda (Antonio); brothers Antonio (Maria) and Miguel, and beloved extended family who are mourning this painful loss. 

José was predeceased by his loving wife Maria, his parents Joao and Rosa de Sousa; and brother-in-law José Desousa.

José was born in Santa Maria, Açores, Portugal and immigrated to Canada with Maria and infant son, Sergio in November 1974.

Upon his arrival to Canada, José spent his first few months employed at the Westin Hotel in the power wash department. He then held a variety of different jobs over the next few years - line assembly work at Boler and Coldstream, finally settling into the water and sewer department at Borland Construction for a number of years until he secured his final job with the City of Winnipeg in the concrete division. He retired at the age of 60 in 2009.  

José was a happy-go-lucky man, always up for a good joke.  He liked to share stories of his youth and what it was like growing up on a farm in the Açores islands.  Life was not always easy growing up, which is what prompted him to bring his wife and newborn son to Canada for a better life, he worked tirelessly to make sure that is exactly what happened.

José loved his family with all his heart, they were his everything.  The loss of his dear wife Maria in May of 2020 changed him forever, but he still doted on his son and best friend, Sergio, looked forward to every minute he got to spend with him.

The loss of José is devastating and has created a huge void in our family. He will be greatly missed and forever remembered and loved. 

Pallbearers are Victor Sousa, Terry Desousa, Tony Soares, John Switzer, Joe Johnson and Cavel Mowbray.

Funeral service will be held at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, on Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at 1:00 PM with interment following immediately at Assumption Roman Catholic Cemetery (3990 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba).  

The family would like to thank the paramedics, WPS and the medical examiner for their compassion when dealing with us at the commencement of our sorrow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Manitoba ALS Society (2A-1717 Dublin Ave., Winnipeg Manitoba R3H 0H2).