Edward Joseph Souza, 88, passed peacefully away on Monday, Jan. 12, 2009 in Hughson.

He was born Feb. 29, 1920 in Oakland to the late Manuel J. Souza and Marie Veronica Bettencourt Souza.

He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Garnet Joy Souza; children Howard Souza of Sutter Creek, Jana Souza Fatzer and Craig Souza, both of Manteca; grandchildren David Souza, Darren Souza, both of Manteca, Jodi Souza Young of Lafayette, Evette Fatzer Moran, Eric Souza, both of Manteca, Deanna Young, Jordan Souza, both of WA, Garrett Fatzer and Meghan Fatzer, both of Manteca; and great-grandchildren Hillary and Brooke Souza of Stockton, Nicole and Grant Young of Lafayette, Aidan and Azdaia Moran, Lorenzo and LaVelle Fatzer, all of Manteca.

Edward graduated from Manteca High in 1938. During high school he worked for Leo Bernacchi at Leo’s Grocery. While attending Humphrey’s Business School in Stockton he worked at Cloverleaf Dairy as a wholesale driver from 1940-1942. In 1943 he was inducted into the European Theater of the Army in WWII in Belguim. Edward was injured in 1945 and received a Purple Heart award. He was honorably discharged in 1946 from Camp Beale in Sacramento. On Sept. 21, 1946 Edward married Garnet (Gary) Hanson, whom he met while working at Cloverleaf Dairy. He stated “that was the best thing I ever did.”

He farmed land in Manteca and surrounding areas. He also developed a piece of equipment out of a Model A to sulfur vineyards for other farmers. Ed purchased land on the corner of Louise Avenue and Union Road (opposite Union Cemetery) and Louise Avenue by the Highway 99 overpass, where the family lived until 1979. Souza Blvd. off of Louise Ave. was named for him.

The next vocation took him to San Francisco, where he commuted daily, as a cement truck driver for Vennucchi Brothers. He was then promoted to foreman of their building foundations in Sacramento for Larchmont Village and three other communities. He returned to work for E.F. Mitchler’s as a cement truck driver in Stockton for 15 years until he retired in 1977 at the age of 57.

In 1979 Ed & Garnet built a new home in the Morada area of Stockton, his son Howard was the general contractor. They lived there until moving back to Manteca to the Raymus Mobile Home Park in 1992.

After their children were grown, Ed and Garnet enjoyed meeting friends on their 20-year 3-to-4-month trips to Crescent City to salmon fish. They also traveled throughout the United States to visit relatives, friends and several enjoyable trips to Branson, Missouri.

Edward will be remembered by his family as a loving, generous Husband and father. Visitation will be held at P.L. Fry & Son Funeral Home, 209 North Union Road, Manteca  on Friday, Jan. 16, from 1 to 5 p.m. Funeral Services will follow on Saturday, Jan. 17, at 11 a.m. at P.L. Fry Funeral Home. Burial will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 20, at 2 p.m. at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery.