Albert J. Sousa

Albert J. Sousa, 93, of Sanford, Maine passed away peacefully at the Greenwood Center in Sanford on April 18, 2009. A longtime resident of Sanford, Mr. Sousa was born April 14, 1916 in Lowell, MA, to Manuel J. and Isabel P. (Perreira) Sousa. He was a graduate of Chelmsford High School and attended the University of Vermont and the Lowell Textile Institute. Albert was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Army Air Corp. He had a long and successful career in the woolen business and served as superintendent of the Talbot Mills, Billerica, MA and as Vice President and General Manager of the Brooks Woolen Company, managing Ames Textile Mills in Lowell and Stoughton, MA and the Brooks Woolen Mill in Sanford, from which he retired in 1988. Mr. Sousa was active in the Sanford community and was a member of the Sanford Elks Club, the American Legion, the AMVETS, and the Sanford Town Club. He was a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus and a parishioner of St. Therse of Lisieux Parish. Additionally, Albert was a corporator of the Sanford Institution for Savings and a Trustee of the Goodall Library. Albert personified the American dream and proved during his life that ambition and hard work are the cornerstones of success. He will be greatly missed by his children who will forever treasure memories of fishing trips with their Dad to the White Mountains and eating ice cream for breakfast. Mr. Sousa was pre-deceased by his wife Ruth E. (Knight) Sousa. He was a caring and loving father to his six children: Richard of Scarborough, ME; Donald and his wife Judith of Waikoloa, HI; Dr. David and his wife Ruth of Calais, ME; Edward and his wife Catherine of Brooks, ME; daughter Ruth Johnson of Springvale, ME; and Robert and his wife Mary Ann of Sanford, ME. He is survived by 17 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind his very special friend, Monique Morin of Sanford. Born the second of 12 children, Albert leaves his brothers, Anthony, Michael, and James of East Chelmsford, MA; Alfred of Billerica, MA and John of Ayer, MA. He leaves one sister, Isabelle McGonigle of East Chelmsford, MA. He was pre-deceased by his brother Manuel and sisters Mary Roddy, Aurelia (Jeanne), Clarice, and Angeline. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of the Greenwood Center for their care and love. Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, April 22nd from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Lafrance Lambert & Black Funeral Home, 29 Winter Street in Sanford. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Thursday, April 23rd at St. Therse of Lisieux Parish, Holy Family Church, located on North Avenue in Sanford. Interment will follow at St. Ignatius Cemetery in Sanford.Donations in Albert's memory may be made to the Louis B. Goodall Memorial Library, 952 Main Street, Sanford ME 04073-3509.To leave a message of condolence for the family, please click on the condolences tab to the left.