Joseph Figueiredo Souza Joseph

Dr. Joseph Figueiredo Souza, Jr., also known as “Zack” of Avondale, Arizona and New Bedford, Massachusetts, passed away on July 28, 2021. He was the son of the late Joseph F. Souza, Sr. and the late Anna Tavares Souza of Lisbon, Portugal. He is survived by his wife, Dawn Blake Souza, two sons, Paul Souza, and his wife, Isabell of New Bedford, and Richard Souza, and his wife, Ana Paula of Washington, New Jersey. He leaves two granddaughters, Christina Souza and Vanessa Souza, and one great-granddaughter, Lilly Souza. Dr. Souza is also survived by five step-children, Cynthia Miles (Ira), Renee Lopes Pocknett (Vernon), Philip Lopes (Eva), Jason Lopes (Amy), and T.J. Thomas, as well as many step-grandchildren and great- grandchildren. He was previously the widower of Maria Rosa Lopes Morais of Lisbon, Portugal.

“Zack” graduated from New Bedford High School, Worcester State College, Troy State College and Heed University, where he earned a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology. In 1956, Mr. Souza joined the Marine Corps Reserves, serving for six years, then entered the Air Force and earned the rank of Captain. He retired in 1983, and moved with his family to Lisbon. He was subsequently contracted by the Portuguese Government as an instructor at the Portuguese Air Force Academy and later as a Special Assistant to the National Defense Institute in Lisbon and the Nato Defense College in Rome, Italy.

He served in France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Panama, and earned the Meritorious Service Medal, 3 Air Force Commendation Medals, and numerous other awards and decorations for outstanding service.

Dr. Souza returned to the States, following the death of his wife, Rosa, and eventually married his childhood friend, Dawn. They lived in Phoenix, Arizona and later returned to New Bedford. He was well-known in the area for his skilled artwork, his musical talent, and his numerous volunteer activities. He served on the boards of the New Bedford Historical Society, the North Star Learning Centers, and his favorite hangout, The Ft. Rodman Military Museum. Zack was very generous and donated many of his paintings and portraits to local non-profits for fundraising activities. His art can be found in locations around New Bedford, and also on Cape Cod.

When he and Dawn moved back to Arizona in 2017, he became a regular volunteer at the Avondale Senior Center, entertaining the members regularly with his popular keyboard concerts.

Born on the Cape Verdean island of São Nicolau, he published an autobiography called, “Once an Islander.” ; and later collaborated with Dawn on “A Seagull’s View of New Bedford” an illustrated guide to the historical sites of the city of his youth.