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Bernard Francis (Bud) Sousa, Sr.
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Bernard Francis Sousa, Sr. Obituary
Bud retired from the Army in 1969 after 22 years of service to his country. His overseas stations were Korea, Japan, France and Vietnam. His family joined him for two years in France. Our son Anthony was born in Landstuhl, Germany as there were no American hospitals in our corner of France. The last eight years of Bud's military service he was a competitive pistol shooter. He received numerous medals and awards during this time. Bud was also the Colorado State Champion for two years.
Predeceasing Bud were his parents Helena and Anthony Sousa; his nephews Fred and Jim Lane; and his eldest son Bud Jr. Also his cousins Nora and Harold Benson.
Survived by his wife of 63 years, Betsey A. Lane Sousa; his daughter-in-law Terri Sousa, Colorado Springs, CO his son Anthony K. Sousa of Leadville, CO; his daughter and son-in-law Lynda and George Douglas of Denver. His grandchildren: Charlotte and Chris Rivera of Maplegrove, MN; Robert Sousa and Charlene Turner of Thornton, CO; Shelly and Steve Satulla of Colo Spgs, CO. Emma Douglas and Jessica Curtis of Indianapolis, IN; Lois Douglas and her finance Bret Yackovich of San Diego, CA; Sarah and Courtney Sousa of Colo Spgs, CO.
Also surviving are his brother and sister-in-law Dr. J Perry and Connie Lane of Nova Scotia, Canada; and his brother and sister-in-law Jim and Helen Lane of Revere, MA. Nephews Sean, Patrick and Jim Lane of MA; Andy and Lisa Lane of Maine.
Bud is also survived by his cousins Fred and Richard Benson, Sue and John Souza of MA. He also leaves close friends Carmen and Theresa Domenico; Esther Mae and Bruno Ciani and Fran Trulli of MA. He leaves many friends from Security, Colo Spgs, and members of St. Raphael Episcopal Church.
Bud's Memorial Service will be March 1, 2014 at St. Raphael's, 802 Leta Drive in Security, CO at 11:00 am.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Bernard Francis Sousa, Sr.
2 Entries
Ronald Hefner
March 2, 2014
Once you met Bud it was an experience you will never forget. Yes, you knew immediately that Bud was special - kind, gentle, compassionate, full of stories. But it was his handshake that was so genuine and telling about the man. I never met a man who could shake your hand harder than Bud. That hand shake was a moment in time that endeared me to him forever and is now as indelible and cherished as memories of him should be. Bud's physical strength was almost unimanageable for someone his age. I have no doubt that on almost any given day in his life he could have easily beat me in an arm wrestling contest. But even more amazing than his physical strength was the love he had for Betsy, his family and for his Lord and Saviour. He was always so in love with Betsy and so protective you would think on most occassions that the two of them were still in their twenties and courting each other. Outside of Betsy and his family he dearly loved Saint Raphael's Episcopal Church which he attended for over fifty five years.
His loss leaves a hole in our hearts that will not soon go away. But, Bud lives on through his beautiful wife and the family who loved him so much. I always enjoyed talking to Bud after church and in our parish hall. Now Bud is surely telling stories to Jesus and I can imagine his colorful and rich life drawing quite the crowd in Heaven. Oh, how I wish I was a spectator when he introduced himself in Heaven and shook our Lord's hand. We'll all miss those handshakes and the love and guinueness from which they came.
David Koskela
March 1, 2014
This is Fr, David. I will always be grateful for Bud's concern for me. He would often come over to the church and remind me of the importance of self care and to not work too hard. We were both Vietnam vets and shared a few stories from time to time. He probably had his faults but don't we all?! He'll be missed.
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