Donald P. Souza
The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution announces with great sorrow the death of former employee Donald P. Souza on June 2, 2024, at Bridges in Mashpee. He was 89.
Don was born in East Falmouth to Helen L. Souza (Rogers) of Falmouth and Manuel A. Souza of Sao Miguel, Azores (Portugal). He resided in San Diego, CA, Falmouth and Sandwich, MA. He grew up amid the farms and woods of Acapesket Road with his siblings James, Jane, and Thomas and special cousin Mike. It was a culturally rich and family centered environment with many aunts, uncles, and cousins nearby.
Don graduated from Lawrence High School in Falmouth in 1953 and participated in sports and numerous clubs. In 1954 he joined the army during the Korean conflict and was part of a reconnaissance unit stationed at the DMZ in South Korea. After his tour of duty, he came home to Falmouth and attended a dance at Otis Air Force Base. It was there that he met Sheila Daprato from New Bedford. They were married six months later on July 7, 1956. Last summer they celebrated 67 years of marriage.
Don and Sheila made their way to San Diego, CA, to find work and be with Sheila’s sisters. He worked for Convair, a major aircraft assembler and it was there that he invented a tool to significantly improve the riveting process. He was awarded a bonus of several thousand dollars. During this time, they had two children, David and Jacqueline. As the work tailed off, he took drafting (chart and map making) courses and earned his certification. He applied for a job at WHOI and was hired in 1964 as a Draftsman and the family returned home to Falmouth. Don was promoted several times while at WHOI, eventually becoming the Graphics Services Supervisor. He left in 1983. After leaving WHOI, Don when on to work at MIT as a Draftsmen for 10 years. During his time at WHOI and MIT, he became highly regarded at his craft and worked on projects for many scientists, most notably, Dr. Robert Ballard at WHOI and Nobel Prize winner and Professor of Physics Dr. Samuel Ting at MIT.
Upon retirement, he worked with Sheila at her business, SVS Billing and worked on restoring a vintage shingle style house on the bluff in Falmouth Heights. During this time, he embraced his true calling as a grandfather when Abigail and Annalisa were born. His love for his grandchildren was endless as they entertained each other with songs, games, drives around Cape Cod and ice cream at Four Seas.
Don is survived by his wife Sheila V. Souza; son David P. Souza and his wife Adrienne W. Souza; daughter Jacqueline L. Souza; brother, Thomas A. Souza; special cousin Mike Rogers; grandchildren Abigail C. Rappoport and her husband Hayden; and Annalisa K. Souza. He is predeceased by Jane A. Ransom and James H. Souza.
Visiting hours will be held from 2-5 p.m. on Sunday, June 9 at the Chapman Funerals & Cremations, 584 West Falmouth Hwy., (Rt. 28A), West Falmouth. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, June 10 at 11 a.m. at St. Anthony’s Church, 167 East Falmouth Hwy, East Falmouth. Burial will follow at St. Anthony’s Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to: Falmouth Road Race, PO Box 732, Falmouth, MA, 02541 (donations go to scholarships and grants to help the local community).
Information for this obituary is from the Chapman Funeral Home Website