Kenneth Joseph Sousa, 89, passed away on October 25, 2019, surrounded by his loving family during the days before his passing. Ken will be remembered as a kind and thoughtful man who enjoyed people. He loved to help others, share stories about his life, and listen to others tell their stories. During his life he had many interests including horseback riding, boating, SCUBA diving, woodworking, making things with metal, gardening, traveling, and participating in community and philanthropic activities.
Born on July 8, 1930 in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, Ken moved with his family to California when he was eleven. As a young boy, he took classes in radio dramatics and pursued a career in acting getting a minor role as an extra in Our Gang films.
When he was seventeen, he enlisted in the Navy for three years but served four years and five days. His enlistment was extended because of the Korean Conflict. He served tours of duty in Guam and on board the USS Endicott, a destroyer mine sweeper, as a ship fitter. His battle station was damage control. He spent 8 1/2 months in the Korean combat zone.
Following the service to his country, Ken worked as a welder. He then started a career as a police officer with the Redlands Police Department. While in law enforcement, he was a deputy in the San Bernardino Sheriff Department. When he was stabbed apprehending a suspect, he decided it was best for his family to leave police work. After his children were grown, he returned to police work and became a Lieutenant with the Contra Costa Sheriff Department Reserves.
Following police work, Ken began a thirty year, very successful career in grocery product sales. He won numerous national contests and sales awards. During this time, he married his current wife, Catherine. He often teased that "convincing her to marry him was the most difficult sale he ever made." He retired in 1990 from Hunt -Wesson-Con Agra Foods. Ken and his wife have lived in Fallbrook since 2008.
Ken was a life time member of the Knights of Columbus. He became a Fourth Degree member during the 1970's and served two years as the Grand Knight of the San Rafael Council. He was also the Big SIR for the El Dorado Hills Chapter of the Sons in Retirement.
Ken is survived by his wife, Catherine; his son, Ken, (Meri) of Upland, CA; his daughter, Davi, (Linda) of North Edwards, CA; his son, Tim, (Diane) of Temple, TX; his daughter, Patty Burns (Randy) of Winchester, CA; his brother, Al Fowler, of Oxnard, CA; four grandchildren and three great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one grandson.
A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 13, at St. Peter's Catholic Church. A rosary will be recited immediately preceding mass. Mr. Sousa will be cremated, and his ashes inurned in Our Lady of the Angels Chapel at the Mission San Luis Rey Cemetery.
The family suggests donations to the Boys and Girls Club or the Fallbrook Food Pantry.