Manuel Souza

Left Formation February 8, 2011

Manuel Souza of North Wales died unexpectedly at his home on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2011. He was 95.

He was the husband of Mary (Zawala) Souza and they would have celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary in July.

A 12-year resident of North Wales, he previously lived in Newark and Newton, N.J.

Born in New Bedford, Mass., he was the son of the late Antonio and Gloria (Martin) Souza.

As a young boy growing up in New Bedford, he watched the barn stormers and thought "I can do that." He realized his dream when he became a B-17 pilot in the Eighth Air Force during World War II, stationed in Horham, England, and was a member of the 95th Bomb Group. His squardon participated in the first B-17's over Berlin. Mannie was also a member of the 95th Bomb Group Memorials Foundation.

Mr. Souza retired from Synthetic Plastics Corp. in New York City in 1979, where he worked for more than 40 years.

In the 1950s, he was coach-player of the Portuguese Sport Club Soccer T eam in Newark, N.J. Mr. Souza played for various other soccer and baseball teams, and as a young man tried out for the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team.

Mannie was an avid golfer and was a member of the Culver Lake Golf Club in Branchville, N.J. and played at various golf clubs after his move to North Wales until his late 80's.

He was a lifelong New York Yankee fan and would often talk of going to see games in which the likes of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig played.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Marsha Boyce and her husband, Leonard, of Doylestown and two grandchildren, Christian Boyce of Gilbertsville, Pa., and Gabriela Bravo of Washington, D.C.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Elaine Bravo, a brother, Frank Souza, and two sisters, Irene Cascaes, and Dorothy Pryce.

Mannie was a true family man and enjoyed nothing more than spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

Relatives and friends may greet the family on Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011 from 9 to 9:50 a.m. in Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Church, 1325 Upper State Road, North Wales, and are invited to attend

his Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Interment will be in Whitemarsh Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, Mass cards are preferred.

Huff & Lakjer Funeral Home,