Joseph Anthony Souza, 90

Joseph Anthony Souza, 90, passed away March 31, 2017, at Creekside Care Center in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. He had suffered the last five years from complications of diabetes and kidney failure. He was born on Sept. 19, 1926, in Camden, Calif., to Manual D. and Jacinta Souza from Pico, in the Azores Islands.

Joseph was the first in his family to be born in America. He grew up in Hanford, Calif., on a dairy farm. After high school, he served in the Korean War from 1952-1954 as a personal driver for an intelligence officer. After the war, he married Lucille Faria in 1955 in Visalia, Calif. They moved in 1957 to Santa Cruz, Calif., in 1956 where he started his Souza Finish Grading business, beautifying many businesses and homeowners’ yards. In 1973, he moved his business and family of 10 children to Hayden, Idaho. In 1985 he retired his successful business to travel with his wife in their fifth-wheel travel trailer. They were happily married for 61 years.

Joseph is survived by his spouse, Lucille of Coeur d’Alene; children Linda (David) Leitz of Spokane, Wash.; Patricia (Randy) Lewis of Rockford, Wash.; Joseph Souza Jr. of Coeur d’Alene; Mary Souza of Post Falls, Idaho; David (Jackie) Souza of Hamilton, Mont.; Carol (Jeff) Tobin of Coeur d’Alene; Kenneth Souza of Hayden; John (Catherine) Souza of Post Falls; Jeanette McDonough of Coeur d’Alene and Raymond Souza of Coeur d’Alene. He also is survived by his brother, Joaquin (Mary) Souza of Hollister, Calif.; brother-in-law Clarence Faria of Visalia, Calif.; and sister-in-law Vera Faria of Visalia, Calif. He had 38 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Joseph is preceded in death by his parents, Manual and Jacinta Souza; sister Mary Mattos; infant brother Manuel and brother-in-law Eddie Faria.

Visitation and rosary will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 6, 2017, at Bell Tower Funeral Home, 3398 E. Jenalan Ave., Post Falls. A Requiem Mass is 9:30 a.m. Friday, April 7, 2017, at Immaculate Conception Church in Post Falls. Burial will follow the funeral service at St. Thomas Cemetery in Coeur d’Alene.

The family would like to thank Joseph’s doctors and the wonderful staff at Creekside Care Center for their compassionate attention that he received for the last three years. Dad was their jokester. Condolences may be left on Joseph Anthony Souza’s online guest book at www.belltowerfuneralhome.com.