Mr. Henry “Gunga” Sousa, age 88, of Fernwood Road, Bristol, died Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018, at Hebert Nursing Center, Smithfield. He was the husband of the late Virginia A. (Palumbo) Sousa, his wife of 59 years, who preceded him in death in August of 2013.

Born in Bristol and a lifelong resident, he was a son of the late Jesse R. and Rosa (Costa) Sousa. Gunga served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was a graduate of Colt Memorial High School, Class of 1947.

He was a truck driver for the Atlantic Tubing Company in Cranston for over 20 years, retiring in 1978. A communicant of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, he was a 16^th of July Feast volunteer for many years. He was a former member of the Bristol Board of Canvassers for over 30 years and had been their chairman for several years.

He was a member of the Disabled American Veterans and a founder and life member of the Bristol Cup Defenders Association.

Throughout his life, Gunga maintained an excellent sense of humor to engage the people around him and also was very generous with his time to help veterans, his family and the community.

He is survived by a son, Dr. Kenneth J. Sousa of Smithfield.

He was preceded in death in addition to his wife and parents, by a daughter, Karen Jean Sousa, two brothers, Arthur and Jesse Sousa, and a sister, Mary E. Vincent.  Funeral services from the Sansone Funeral Home, 192 Wood St., Bristol, are Monday, March 5, 2018, at 8:30 a.m., with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 141 State St., Bristol. 

Burial with military honors will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Chestnut Street, Bristol. Visitation will be Monday morning only at 8:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 141 State St., Bristol, RI 02809.  For online condolences, shared memories, information and directions go to www.sansonefuneralhome.com.