Michael John Souza ,54, of Santa Maria, CA passed away on May 29, 2018. Michael was born on Dec 30, 1963 in the old Sisters Hospital (Our Lady of Perpetual Help) in Santa Maria. He was raised on the family ranch and attended Bonita School where he enjoyed sports, and was named most valuable player in basketball tournaments.
At Santa Maria High School, he excelled at football and made the varsity team as a sophomore. He was the captain his junior and senior years. After… Read More » high school, Michael worked as a fifth generation member of the family farming operation, H & R Souza, Inc., where he also operated land leveling and earth excavating equipment.
He obtained his commercial helicopter pilot license, and for a few years, performed helicopter agricultural services. He even dropped off Santa Clause one year at Penny’s shopping center for a Christmas celebration! He was mechanically minded and innovative when it came to building and repairing equipment.
Really, he was good at whatever he tried and enjoyed his projects and the challenges they presented. Michael was a talented man with many interests. He enjoyed fishing and surfing, as well as racing.
He had a wildly creative sense of humor and was easily able to make people laugh. Michael was born with a natural gift to play guitar. He played mostly by ear.
He could listen to any song once or twice and then play it as if he had been playing it for years. It was inspiring to hear. This musical ability led to performing with a local band called “In and Out”.
Friends may remember a Fourth of July performance at the Fairpark. The highlight of Michael’s life was the birth of his two daughters, Jessica and Jenny. He adored them and bragged about them often.
Michael is survived by his wife, Brooke, and two daughters, Jessica and Jenny Souza; his mother, Judy Rogers; his father and step-mother, Ron and Linda Souza; his brother and sister-in-law, “Tike” and Ramona Souza and family; his step-brother, Chris Rogers and family; his mother-in- law and father-in-law, Judy and Bill Bowers, of Thousand Oaks, CA; brother-in -law, Blake Bowers and family, as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Michael was preceded in death by his grandparents Bert and Mabel Pereira, and Henry and Lucille Souza; his step-father, Don Rogers; his uncle, John Gabel, and his cousin, Denise Gabel; Godparents, Frank and Lorraine Marciel. Michael meant more to his family and friends than he ever realized, and we will miss him greatly.
Visitation will be Thursday, June 14, at St. Louis De Montfort Catholic Church, in Orcutt, at 5:00 PM with Rosary to follow at 5:45 PM. Funeral Mass will be Friday, June 15 at St. Louis De Montfort at 10:00 AM, followed by burial at Santa Maria Cemetery. A luncheon reception will immediately follow at the Santa Maria Elks Lodge 1538.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to your favorite charity, if so desired. Thank you.
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