Herman Souza

Herman Souza, 95, of Sarasota, FL passed away peacefully at home on July 27, 2023. Born on August 14, 1927, he was the son of the late Augustinho and Mary Souza and spent his early years in the Fox Point area of Providence, RI. He joined the Coast Guard in 1943 and was proud to have served his country during WWII. Herman loved music and credited the Providence Boys Club with providing him the opportunity to learn to play guitar. He often spoke of meeting, as a teenager, Gene Autry, country singer, and how Gene asked him to go on the road with him. When Gene wanted only Herman and not the rest of his band to come along, Herman politely refused as he would not go without the rest of the band—a testament to his sense of loyalty. That day, Herman was featured in the Providence Journal, playing guitar and singing the Ernest Tubb country tune “Walking The Floor Over You.” After the war, Herman joined the Holy Rosary Drum and Bugle Corp where he met his first wife, Hortense with whom he shared 40 years and had four children. At that time, he also began his career working for a small printing company. His career in the printing/packaging industry spanned several decades. He rose through the ranks and held leadership positions including Vice President and President. His honest approach and positive attitude made him highly successful and well-respected. In 1988, Herman and his son John started their own company—Packaging Graphics, Inc. From its humble beginnings with just 5 employees, PGI grew over a 15-year span to become one of the largest of its kind and an industry leader. In 2002, Herman retired to sunny Sarasota or what he referred to as “paradise” with his second wife, Janice with whom he shared 20 years. Herman was an avid golfer, and enjoyed playing guitar, having dinner with friends, and was known to enjoy a martini or two! He always looked forward to visits from his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, and great-grandfather who instilled strong family values in all. Herman left an imprint on everyone he met throughout his life and no matter what challenges came his way, he always met them with perseverance, determination, a sense of humor, and a positive attitude. He is predeceased by his sister Felismina (Souza) Roderick and her husband George Roderick, his first wife Hortense (Euzebio) Souza, and his second wife, Janice (Gardiner) Souza. He is survived by his children, Carol (Souza) Wilcox and husband Paul Wilcox; Brenda (Souza) Rapoza and husband Thomas Rapoza; John H. Souza and wife Melanie (Connors) Souza; and Gail (Souza) Rudolph and husband Jay Rudolph; grandchildren Rachel Rapoza, Kristen Rapoza, Nicole Greenberg and husband Ryan Greenberg, and Alexandra Paz and husband Eddy Paz, 3 great-grandchildren, Jack, Oliver, and Mason, as well as several nieces and nephews. Herman’s family would like to thank the staff and management at Harbor Chase of Sarasota for the compassionate caring that they provided to Herman for the past two years. He will always be part of the HC “family.” A funeral mass will be held on Friday, August 18, 2023, at 10am at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 7900 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, FL 34241. Cemetery interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Parkinson’s Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street, Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131. https://www.parkinson.org/

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Herman Souza

August 14, 1927 - July 27, 2023