Raul B Sosa

Raul Berlanga Sosa, (R.B.,) beloved husband, father, grand and great-grand father, brother, uncle and friend, was born in San Antonio on January 13, 1922. He passed into the arms of his Lord on February 5, 2019. He was preceded in death by his wife, Adelina Toscano Sosa, his sister Della Villasana, his brother Ernest Sosa, a grand-daughter Yolette Celine Zepeda Garces. He is survived by his brother Vicente and his sister Dora (Molly,) Oviedo. He also leaves behind his daughters, Yolanda Zepeda, (Robert,) Patricia McQuade, (James, [J.J.,]) his grand-daughters Robette Celeste Zepeda McLellan, (Edward,) Melissa McQuade, (Lori,) Kristen McQuade Hernandez, (Eric,) 6 really great grandchildren, and a handful of close, very dear and long-time friends still surviving.

R.B. Was extremely devoted to his family and his country. After completing 6 years of school, he (the oldest child,) went to work to help support his mother brothers and sisters. When the US entered WW II, he enlisted in the US Marines, but, (fortunately for him,) they soon parted ways. He then enlisted in the US Army. After Basic Training, he became a medic, attached to the 12th Army General Hospital. He braved the Atlantic in a troop ship crossing and landed in Oran, where the first Mediterranean medical base was established. Following the troops across North Africa and Sicily, an island base was activated at Palermo. He continued following the fighting until the 12th General Hospital was established in Livorno Italy in 1945 and PFC Sosa, designated a tailor, was given a tailor shop and assigned to supervise the work of 8 seamstresses. His proudest achievement was creating a wedding dress for a nurse, using a silk parachute. He loved Italy. With two of his buddies, Donald Buchanan and Dick Sullivan, (of The Radio Quiz Kids fame,) R.B. attended the Opera regularly in Rome, and even visited the Vatican. He was a skilled poker player apparently, and sent all his winnings home. When Adeline asked him in a letter, where all that money was coming from, he replied to “just put it in the bank and we'll spend it when I come home.”

Upon his return, R.B. Worked for a time in door-to-door sales, but soon obtained a civil-service position at Fort Sam Houston. He completed his High School Equivalency, and soon transferred to a position at Kelly AFB, from which he eventually retired as an Accounting Supervisor after a 30 year career. His athleticism and love of sports were expressed through boxing when he was in the army, and softball, where he played 2nd base for several years in a city league. He was an avid (and astute) baseball fan. (Go Cardinals!) He and Adeline selflessly provided generous support and assistance to his mother and many family members and friends throughout their years together. There are no finer men: honest, humble, hard-working, sharp witted, sophisticated, never gullible, full of mischief, and full of the joy of life; a classy, healthy guy to the very end of his life, and respected by all who knew and loved him.

Poppo, as he was known by his immediate family, loved his life, loved his family, and loved his God, (though he seldom needed to enter a house of worship to express that.) He counted himself as “the luckiest man in the world. He enjoyed his retirement tending to his property and pool, enjoying Friday happy hours at home with family and friends, grilling for the kids and grandkids on Sunday afternoons, woodworking, (creating countless small items of furniture and décor,) traveling with his wife and friends, and spinning countless yarns about his childhood, parents, friends, and life experiences. He was the family's go-to guy whenever a pair of jeans, slacks, or a dress needed hemming or alterations.) Following Adelines death (Mommo,) after 63 years of marriage, Poppo, continued living at home alone, taking care of all the domestic responsibilities, and maintaining his regular social activities. Last November he became ill, and soon experienced two hospitalizations and rehab events. Each time, he was determined to recover and return to his home. Sadly, he was unable to rebound from his third hospitalization after a series of mild strokes contributed to his eventual demise. Even in his final days, without speech, without the ability to smile any longer, he would still pull a face, flash his eyebrows up and down, and wink, seemingly recognizing all his visitors. He attributed his longevity and health to copious daily doses of Christian Brother's Brandy.

The family would like to thank the professional caregivers for the loving and capable care provided for him in his final eleven weeks of life: Francoise and Marie, the excellent staff at St. Luke's Medical and Rehab Centers, Morningside Manor LTC, and Christus Care Hospice. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to your favorite charity in his memory.