Joseph J. "Buddy" Sousa, Jr.

Joseph J. Sousa, Jr., known affectionately as “Buddy” to his family and close friends, was born in Providence, the son of the late Joseph J. Sousa and Marie (Kilkenny) Sousa. He was the brother of the late Helen Hanrahan.

Joe was a graduate of La Salle Academy, where he played basketball and excelled on the baseball team. He was a proud veteran of the United States Navy, serving aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Leyte.

For 68 years, Joe was married to the love of his life, his best friend, and constant support, Patricia “Patsy” (Rinaldi) Sousa. Together they created a warm and loving home for their four children: the late Elizabeth M. Tully, Maureen P. Sousa, the late Kathleen G. Sullivan, and Joseph R. Sousa.

Joe worked in the family business, Embassy Flowers, in Providence and East Greenwich, and continued to own and operate the business after his father’s passing. He would eventually go on to work as an inspector for the R.I. Department of Motor Vehicles for over 30 years.

Sports played an important role in Joe’s life. He was volunteer coach for numerous teams throughout the years. Whether CYO basketball, his daughter Katie’s softball team, his grandson’s little league team (which he would continue coaching for over ten years) he instilled in his players the values of teamwork, good sportsmanship, and always playing to the best of one’s abilities.

Over the course of his life, Joe had been involved with many different community organizations too numerous to name. He had been active in local politics both in Providence and East Greenwich and was a Life Member of the East Greenwich Veteran Fireman’s Association.

Joe enjoyed following the Celtics and the Patriots, but most especially, he was a die-hard fan of the Boston Red Sox. Beginning in the 1980s, he and Patsy would spend months in Florida attending every game of Red Sox Spring Training where they would go on to forge life-long friendships with their fellow fans.

Joe had an immense sense of humor and a quick wit—there wasn’t a person he met who could escape being the subject of one his pithy witticisms.

Though he was always involved in his community, there was nothing more important to Joe than his family. His beloved Patsy, his four children, his grandchildren, and eventually great-grandchildren were the light of his life. There was no greater joy for him than to be surrounded by the family he adored and who adored him in return. From holidays, to birthdays, or an ordinary Sunday dinner, being among those he loved was his greatest passion. Joe leaves behind a legacy of service to his country and his community , but more importantly of devotion and love for his family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, November 4 ^th at 10:00am at St. Francis de Sales Church, School St., North Kingstown.  Burial will military honors will be in St. Patrick Cemetery, East Greenwich.  Calling hours:  Thursday, November 3 ^rd 5-8pm at the Hill Funeral Home, 822 Main St., East Greenwich.  Flowers are accepted or donations may be made to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation www.macular.org