Mr. Ronald J. Sousa

Ronald J. Sousa Loving Husband and Father PELHAM, NH—Ronald Joseph Sousa, the beloved husband of Johanna M. (Sperounis) Sousa, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, October 30, 2011 at Lowell General Hospital. He was 70 years old. Ronald was born in Lowell on August 18, 1941, a son of the late Jack and Lilianne (St. Hilaire) Sousa. He was a graduate of St. Michael’s Grammar School and Keith Academy, Class of 1960. Ronald then enlisted in the United States Army, during the Vietnam War, attaining the Rank of Specialist 4 as a Marksman and Sharpshooter. He received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal during his three year service, one year of which he was deployed to South Vietnam, and also remained active as a reservist for four additional years. Upon returning home, Ronald attended the University of Massachusetts, Boston, graduating on September 1, 1971 with a degree in Economics and Mathematics. Ronald was living in Pelham, NH for one year at the time of his death. Prior to that, he and his wife Johanna were Hudson, NH residents for 23 years and Dracut residents for many years before that. Upon graduation from U MASS, Ronald taught and tutored Mathematics. He also worked at his family’s automotive business, Jack’s Automotive Service in Lowell, for many years. Ronald later advanced into the Security Management industry for several prominent Medical and Electronics businesses in the greater metropolitan area and in Southern New Hampshire, until his retirement. Mr. Sousa was a member of the Veteran’s Association and the Disabled American Veterans of New Hampshire. A true renaissance man, Ronald had many interests including Ham Radio operation in which he held membership in the Granite State Amateur Radio Association with Extra Class License KQ1U. He was a Genealogist and held membership in the American/Canadian Genealogical Society. Ronald attained the level of Black Belt in Karate and became a certified Grand Master in Sunyata (Martial Arts). He developed the style of Sunyata Karate and operated his own Martial Arts Schools for several years. An accomplished musician, Ronald was a former teacher of Guitar and also wrote and copyrighted many songs. He was also an amateur Astronomist, Lapidarist, and Photographer. An avid outdoorsman, he was a Scuba Diver and a certified instructor with the Lowell Divers Club. Fluent in many languages, he taught himself to read and write in Greek and Esperanto (an international auxiliary language). He enjoyed traveling with his family to Mexico and Canada and also enjoyed gardening, cooking, and building furniture. Ronald’s number one passion was his love and devotion to his family. He is survived by the love of his life, Johanna M. (Sperounis) Sousa, a teacher at Billerica Memorial High School, of Pelham, NH; his son, R. Christopher Sousa of Pelham; his brother Mark J. Sousa and his wife Catherine (Jeske) Sousa of Dracut; his mother-in-law, Mary (Angelus) Sperounis of Dracut; his brother-in-law, Michael J. Sperounis and his wife Susan (Oaks) of Lawrenceville, GA; three nieces, Sarah Sousa and her husband Ray La Montagne, Jessica Bulloch and her husband Jonathan, and Alexandra Sperounis; two nephews, Joseph MacEcheran and Nicholas Sperounis; also many great nieces and great nephews; his godchildren, Keith Berube and Alexandra Sperounis; an aunt, Hilda Berube of Lowell. Ronald is survived by many cousins and close friends including his dear cousin and friend, Robert Berube of Lowell. Ronald is survived by his loyal and faithful dog, Maggie. FUNERAL NOTICE SOUSA—In Lowell, October 30, 2011, Ronald J. Sousa, 70, of Pelham, formerly of Hudson and Dracut. He was the beloved husband of Johanna M. (Sperounis) Sousa who survives him. Family and friends may call at the FAY McCABE FUNERAL HOME, 105 MOORE STREET, LOWELL on FRIDAY, NOV.4, 2011 from 4 until 8 P.M. A Service Celebrating Ronald’s life will be held on SATURDAY MORNING from 10 A.M. until 11:30 A.M. at the FAY McCABE FUNERAL HOME. As an expression of sympathy, donations in Ronald’s memory may be made to the Disabled American Veterans. P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250. ARRANGEMENTS BY THE FAY McCABE FUNERAL DIRECTORS, LOWELL, 978-459-9222.

Mr. Ronald J. Sousa

August 18, 1941 - October 30, 2011