03/27/2023
JANUARY 23, 2023 -- This morning we lost a town legend. A true "Son of Somerset." Coach Bob Souza passed away peacefully after a long battle with Parkinson's.
A product of the Somerset Village, where he grew up and lived his whole life, he was a history teacher (Room 305!), Historian, Coach and Mentor. He helped to mold and shape the lives of so many through his love of sports and education.
Coach Souza believed in the "3 D's" - Discipline, Desire and Dedication. And he lived what he taught.
Bob Souza is the most honored member of the Somerset Athletic Hall of Fame, with six inductions (two individual and four team) and being the only individual with an award named in his honor.
He was inducted as a player (captain of the 1957 state Class B champion baseball team, an all-star shortstop for his mentor, Jack Kineavy, before going on to play for Providence College). He was inducted as a head coach (the very successful founder of the school's ice hockey program).
His 1957 baseball team (player) and 1972-73 hockey teams (head coach) were inducted. And he was an assistant coach on enshrined baseball and football teams coached by his good friend Jim Sullivan.
After retirement, he took his encyclopedic knowledge to hosting a sports show on Somerset Cable Access.
Although I never played for him, I consider him to be a close and important role model for my own coaching.
He was a family friend, and a regular golf partner for my Dad at The Fall River Country Club.
He was honored by the school and Hall of Fame at a ceremony two years ago for his long and accomplished career that took place at full stands at the SB tennis courts. He received a proclamation from the State House from Rep. Pat Haddad .
The Coach Robert F. Souza Excellence Award was added to Somerset Hall of Fame honors in 2019, with the first two recipients being John Azevedo and Gary Drewniak .
There are hundreds of Bob Souza stories and quotes that his former players and students continue to tell. The positive impact that he made on so many is his legacy.
I, and many others, visited him weekly at Clifton, where his mind and memory remained razor sharp despite his Parkinson's.
Condolences to Patricia Medeiros, and his many friends and admirers, including Erica Pereira, who has done so much for Mr. Souza and Miss Medeiros.
