With heavy hearts, we share the passing of Jose da Costa Sousa of Portsmouth, RI.
These words are offered in his memory — small, but heartfelt.
Jose spent his working life as ['Laborer'] — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew him best.
Some days simply pass; others stay with us forever.
Jose C. Sousa, age 89, of Portsmouth, passed away on 4 May 2026. Born in Sao Miguel, Azores, he was the son of the late Jose de Melo Sousa and Maria do Rosario Costa.At 17, Jose voluntarily enlisted in the Portuguese Army and served for 10 years. During that time, he saw direct combat for nearly 3 years fighting in Angola, Africa. After his wedding in 1963, Jose moved to the United States, started a career as a Laborer, joined the Rhode Island Laborers Union and retired after over 31 years of uninterrupted employment. Jose is predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Mary I. Sousa and survived by two sons: Joseph (Janie) and Mark (Danielle), granddaughters: Elizabeth Scott (Jacob) and Laura Lopez (Adrian), five great-grandchildren, siblings: Almendina Melo, Alvarim Sousa, Dora Marcos, and several nieces and nephews. Additionally, he is preceded in death by two brothers Joao and Jacinto Sousa, and sister Teresa Raposa.He was a proud, hard-working, and disciplined man on the outside, but those who really knew him saw the softness and caring he held within. His greatest joys in life were nurturing his plants, vegetables, and fruit trees and watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren as they grew and conquered different milestones in their lives.The family asks for no flowers and as Jose would want ... "spend that money on your children, and grandchildren".Calling hours will be held Friday, May 8, 2026, at Connors Funeral Home, 55 West Main Rd, Portsmouth, RI from 4:00 - 7:00 PM.A Funeral service will take place at Connors Funeral Home on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 10:00 AM. Burial will follow at Portsmouth Cemetery on Turnpike Avenue, Portsmouth.
