Eduino De Sousa

Eduino Caetano de Sousa, 88, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family February 8, 2025, in Mansfield, Massachusetts, where he had lived with his wife since March 2024. Born in Flamengos, Faial, Acores, Portugal, Eduino embarked on a remarkable journey that took him from the Acores to Canada and eventually to the United States in pursuit of a new life. Over the years, he worked as a truck driver, school bus driver, and car salesman before ultimately establishing his own business. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to create JARALI MUSIC, named after his two youngest children. Through this venture, he sold and donated brass instruments, accessories, and sheet music to Portuguese bands across Continental Portugal, the Azores, Canada, California, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York. His dedication to music earned him recognition as the "Faialense Music Man," a title that reflected both his passion and generosity. Music was a lifelong love for Eduino. Though he did not play an instrument himself, he found immense joy in attending Portuguese Filarmonic band rehearsals and concerts from a young age. His devotion to Portuguese culture remained steadfast throughout his life, and he never tired of sharing stories about his beloved island of Faial in the Acores. This deep appreciation was something he passed on to his wife, Carolyn, his children, and especially his grandchildren Caleb Caetano and Julian Cruz. Eduino was a man of deep faith with a profound love for Our Lord Jesus Christ and Our Lady of Fatima. His faith guided him in all aspects of his life and was evident in the kindness and generosity he extended to those around him. He had a big heart and was always willing to help others in any way he could. He is survived by his beloved wife, Carolyn T. (Rodrigues) de Sousa; his children: Alda de Sousa Butcher, Ana de Sousa (Jose) da Silva, Jared Caetano (Laurie) de Sousa, and Alicia E. de Sousa (Jason) Emord; his cherished grandchildren: Michelle, Cassandra, Bruce, Amanda, Derek and his daily visiting grandsons "sweetee boys," Caleb Caetano and Julian Cruz, who were the light of his life; as well as 16 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter. He also leaves behind his brother Armando Caetano (Goretti) de Sousa of London, Ontario, Canada; sisters Zuraida de Sousa and Maria Albertina Silva of Faial, Azores, Portugal; and sisters-in-law Deolinda de Sousa of Taunton and Maria Filomena de Sousa, Maria Lina de Sousa, and Maria Alice de Sousa of Faial, Acores, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Maria da Luz (Vargas) de Sousa and Jose Caetano de Sousa; brothers Manuel Caetano de Sousa, Jose Mateus de Sousa, Eduardo Caetano de Sousa, and Hirminio Caetano de Sousa; and sister Maria Eduina Mendes. Family and friends are invited to pay their respects at O'Keefe-Wade Funeral Home, 70 Washington St., Taunton, MA 02780 on Thursday, February 13, 2025, from 5-7 PM. In consideration of others’ health and safety during this time of year, those experiencing cold, flu or COVID symptoms are kindly asked to stay home and pray for Eduino during the hour of the Mass. Funeral from the O’Keefe Wade Funeral Home on Friday, February 14th at 9 am. Followed by a Mass of Christain Burial at St. Anthony’s Church in Taunton at 10 am. Burial will be at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Taunton Eduino’s legacy of love for music, faith, family, and Portuguese heritage will live on through those who knew him. May his memory bring comfort to all who were blessed to have him in their lives. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 840692 Dallas, TX 75284-0692 or online at www.heart.org or to Sociedade Filarmonica Nova Artista Flamenguense, Flamengos, Faial, Acores or online at www.novaartistaflamenguense.com.

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