Parcourez la nécrologie de Florival Sousa May 25 1946
November 6 2024 résidant dans la province Manitoba pour le détail des funérailles.
Florival Sousa Obituary
Our mother recently remarked that “the greatest thing your father left behind were the two of you” referring to myself and my sister. While our father’s influence is certainly reflected in us, his legacy is much broader. Rather than a traditional obituary, we decided to write a eulogy to help you understand how uniquely wonderful he was.
— Claudio Sousa, Son –
“What is the secret to 57 years of marriage?” was a question posed in conversation we met the medical team at Riverview in mid-October. My father, drained of energy from a tiring day at Cancer Care, didn’t hesitate with his response, like he had a prepared speech ready for the topic: “Love, respect for one another, and to work as a team” he said while my mother nodded and commented in agreement. This mantra isn’t something I had ever heard spoken aloud by my parents in my 53 years, but I knew it to be true as I thought about their relationship at that moment. I carry many independent traits proudly from my father and my mother, but from them as a couple, I take a more special gift of how to love, support, and care for others.
From my father, I learned from a very young age that a sincere, calm, patient, and respectful approach to people and situations not only projected kindness but was the effective way to resolve a problem or conflict. Occasionally, I would joke that even a car or house fire would be dealt with by my father in a calm, collected manner. Thinking about this today, I think I have been more successful in business and life because of this influence. “Listen carefully, analyze fully, and respond gently” is the advice he never spoke aloud to me but imparted by example.
After immigrating to Canada in 1968 he became a certified bricklayer/mason, a career that would last over 55 years. He was a master mason and, before his retirement at age 76, was the longest active member of the Bricklayer’s Union across Canada. Attending annual union meetings, right up until this past summer on his Triumph Bonneville, would draw frequent conversations of surprise that he “still rode”, to which he would grin quietly as he retold the story.
He took the greatest pride in his work whether it was decorative or simply structural. If you are reading this and you have never met my father, you most certainly have seen his work if you live in or have visited Winnipeg. While there were many public and private buildings he was proud of, he took exceptional pride when he could apply creativity to his work. He was able to bend stone and mortar at will into the curved and pyramid masonry sculptures that adorn the grounds of The Plaza at The Forks near the Human Rights Museum. He was a master of brick arches and round brick window features, some of which you can see along the cafes and restaurants of Corydon Avenue and on the Plaza Italia building at 611 Corydon. He could mimic historic aged work like the eroded stone and fresco you can see at Mona Lisa restaurant. The carefully laid and suspended granite in Canada Life’s entryway and lobby at 100 Osborne has his craftsmanship at its foundation.
In his later years he began specializing in masonry restorations often designing and building his own tools to do the work at the marvel of architects and engineers. The art of restoration is rebuilding something stronger while preserving the original character and aesthetics, something he was quick to assess in his many before-after photos. Wesley Hall at the University of Winnipeg, the Manitoba Legislative Building, Central Park Fountain, St. Mary’s Church, Westminster Church, several buildings on UofM Campus, and many other public and private structures were renewed skillfully with attention to strength and detail by my father.
From the imprinting of his character on his children, friends, and neighbours to the beauty of his craftsmanship, he has left behind a legacy that we are proud of. While we will all miss his presence, his influence and workmanship will be with us for generations. Goodbye Papa.
— Stephanie Sousa, Daughter –
“My Papa could do anything. I know a lot of daughters may say that about a father but really, I promise you, he could. And I’m not just talking about opening that pickle jar which is always way too tight and impossible to open but it was the fact that he could build or fix anything in any situation. The phrase “Mr. Fix It” kind of falls short when it comes to describing my father’s abilities, they go far beyond.
If you’re familiar with the old Fable “The Three Little Pigs”, you’ll understand when I say that if you needed a house built, my father would build the only house that would hold up to the huffing and puffing of the “big bad wolf.” What would it be made of? His specialty…Brick of course! (but likely 8” cinder blocks reinforced with concrete and steel!)
Or, if you needed a fence built, he could also be a Carpenter. If you needed a new roof, he was a Roofer. If the sink was clogged, no problem, he was a Plumber. If the car broke down, he was a Mechanic. And if the stove, oven or any appliance stopped working, he was the technician or electrician. He garnered the title, “Man of all trades” from my mom and it was the absolute truth. He would proudly wear his “I Don’t Need Google, My Daughter says I know Everything” t-shirt with the most subtle proud smile and twinkle in his eye. My Mother always had complete and utter trust and confidence in him for anything and everything. She would always calmly say, “don’t worry, Papa will fix that, no problem!”.
From little girl, Spiders always frightened me. Countless times one might hear a scream in the household followed by “Papa, there’s a Spider!” Moments later, the rapid footsteps of my dad (my hero, no cape necessary), as he came running to the rescue! And then, always with a touch of regret, he would eliminate the 8-legged creature. He truly had a love for all animals, yes even a spider! But I always knew he would protect me and our family from anything whether it be arachnids, “the big bad wolf” or bad boyfriends! He would always put his family first and I knew I was always safe when I had my Papa around.
Something a lot of people may not know, is that my dad had a singing voice that rivaled that of Dean Martin, belting out “That’s Amore” often and much to my mom’s delight. He could also play the accordion beautifully, make the best French Toast and was, in my opinion, the best “Dancing Dad” at the Royal Dance Conservatory.
His calmness and patience, like my brother described, was no exaggeration. “He was a sweetheart”, my mom would always say. People may not believe it but my entire life, he never once raised his voice towards me. Not once. He was simply, my Hero. Our hero. Every day we’ll miss you Papa, I love you.
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Florival Viegas Sousa
Birth: May 25, 1946, Alte-Loulé, Algarve, Portugal
Deceased: Nov 6, 2024, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
In lieu of Flowers: Please donate to the Canadian Cancer Society
Ceremony: A private interment will be held in the spring of 2025.
Survived by:
Leonilde do Serro Sousa, Spouse, Married April 23, 1967
Stephanie Sousa, Daughter
Claudio Sousa, Son
Robyn Tully, Daughter In-Law
Extended Family
Ludovina Barreto, Sister In-Law
Victor Barreto, Brother In-Law
Antonio Barreto, Nephew
Jorge Sousa, Nephew
Armando Sousa, Nephew
Jorge Coelho, Nephew
Predeceased By:
Estefânia de Sousa Viegas, Mother
Serafim Coelho, Brother In-Law
Alvaro Sousa, Brother In-Law
José João de Sousa, Father
Nidia Sousa, Sister
Irene Coelho, Sister
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May 25 1946
November 6 2024
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Florival Sousa May 25 1946
November 6 2024..
Décès pour la Ville: Winnipeg, Province: Manitoba
avis deces Florival Sousa May 25 1946
November 6 2024
necrologie Florival Sousa May 25 1946
November 6 2024
Nous offrons nos plus sincères condoléances à la famille et aux amis de Florival Sousa May 25 1946
November 6 2024 et espérons que leur mémoire pourra être une source de réconfort pendant cette période difficile. Vos pensées et vos mots aimables sont grandement appréciés.