Jose Maria Sousa, 74, of Fall River, husband of Ilda (Tavares) Sousa, passed away Monday January 2, 2017 at St. Anne's Hospital. Born in Remedios, Bretanha, St.Michael, Azores, son of the late Jose and Etalvina (Bernardo) Sousa . He was employed as a custodian for many years at Quaker Fabric until his retirement at age 62. He also served in the Portuguese Army for three years. Jose enjoyed gardening, tending to his grapevine and making his own special wine. But most of all, he adored his four granddaughters and spending time with them. Besides his wife, he leaves two sons, Joe Sousa and Marcelino Sousa both of Fall River; a daughter Laureane Sousa, also of Fall River; his four granddaughters, Colleen, Mackenzie, Katelyn, and Kayla; five sisters, Lubelia Sousa, Natalia Fernandes (late husband-Jose), Eduarda Moreira (late husband-Manuel), Lurdes Farias (husband-Messias), and Dilia Batista (late husband-Manuel); and many nieces and nephews. Jose was also the brother of the late Marcelino Sousa. His Funeral Mass was celebrated on Saturday, January 7th, in Espirito Santo Church followed by his committal at St. Patrick Cemetery.