Edward "Eddy" Souza, 90, passed away peacefully on April 24, 2026, in Bradenton, Florida. Born to Azorean immigrant parents, Joseph Mello Souza and Antonia Maria dos Anos Gomes on March 10, 1936, in East Providence, Rhode Island, Edward lived a life of adventure, service, and love for his family and community.
Eddy was much younger than his sisters and brothers and grew up alone with his parents. His siblings were married or serving in war-zones overseas. His father, Joseph, worked hard everyday but was a musician at night and a member of Theophilo Braga Band where he played the baritone horn and tuba. His beloved mother, Antonia, was always smiling, taking care of the home and cooking delicious Portuguese food.
Little Eddy would ice skate to school in the winter and run around the streets of East Providence barefoot in the summer with his best friend Ron Damas. The little boys would sneak onto baseball fields, get into street fights with bullies, and plague the milkman by sneaking bread out of the back of his truck as he made his deliveries.
Edward graduated from East Providence High School in 1955. He was the first in his family to go to college. He earned an Associate of Science in Law Enforcement from Bristol Community College 1972, a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Salve Regina College 1977, and a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice from Anna Maria College 1991.
Edward proudly served his country in the United States Army. Stationed in Munich, Germany, from 1956 to 1959 as part of the Military Police Corps, he exemplified discipline and honor and broke up many fights between intoxicated American and German GIs. He also learned to ski in Germany and almost killed himself careening down his first slope.
In 1959, Ed met the love of his life at St Francis Xavier Catholic Church during the Holy Ghost Procession. He noticed a beautiful woman with shy, green eyes and mile-long legs sitting on the stone steps of the church. Later, he asked her to dance and the rest is family history. Ed and Mary Jane were married on June 24, 1961.
After the wedding, Edward swept Mary Jane off her feet and onto their first jet airplane to Miami Beach, Florida where they honeymooned at the Casablanca Hotel. They had two daughters, Lorraine and Arleen. Mary Jane passed away in 2022. They were married 62 beautiful years.
In 1967, Edward began his distinguished career with the Seekonk Police Department. Over three decades of dedicated service, he rose through every rank- Patrolman, Sergeant, Detective, Lieutenant, and Captain. Even after retiring in 1998, Edward's commitment to public safety remained steadfast. In August 2000, he was asked by the Seekonk Board of Selectmen to leave retirement and return as Interim Chief of Police. A Special Act by The Commonwealth of Massachusetts allowed him to assume this role temporarily until February 2001.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Edward was deeply devoted to his faith and was a faithful member of the Knights of Columbus and earned the esteemed title, Knight of the 4th Degree.
Edward enjoyed deep sea fishing, playing pool and trying his luck with weekly lottery tickets. He especially enjoyed traveling the world with his sweetheart, Mary Jane, culminating in a trip to the Czech Republic and Germany on their 50th Wedding Anniversary. Eddy was able to revisit the same German streets he patrolled as a corporal during the Cold War and enjoy a liter or two of the Hofbraü Original.
He was predeceased by all of his brothers and sisters: Mary, Amelia, Joseph, Manuel, Christine, Alfred, and John. Their memories remained close to Edward's heart throughout his life.
Edward's legacy is one of service—to his country, community, faith, and family. His wisdom and kindness will be deeply missed by all who knew him but most especially by his loving daughters, Lorraine and Arleen, who will miss his dry sense of humor, old police stories, and practical advice.
Edward was buried with military honors at Sarasota National Cemetery.
