James C. Sousa

Portsmouth, RI - James Sousa, a master furniture finisher for over 50 years who grew his hobby of restoring old time radios into a nationally recognized restoration service, died, April 9, 2013 at home after a short illness. He was 79.Mr. Sousa grew up in Tiverton, the 2nd of seven children to Joseph and Lucy (Fernandes) Sousa, both of whom had immigrated from St. Miguel, capital of Portugal's Azores in the early 1900's. James attended schools in Tiverton and worked in farming with his father before joining the Navy. In his early 20's, he became a woodworking apprentice through the GI Bill and mastered his talents in antique restoration working with several antique dealers throughout the state. For furniture designer Harvey Prober, James spent 20 years as a woodworker and Foreman at his manufacturing plant in Fall River. He loved to tell the story of a desk they once made for President Lyndon Johnson where each man who worked on it placed his signature on its underside.In the early 1990's, James formed a partnership to restore vintage radios, repairing and restoring the wood cabinetry while his partner replaced the electronics. The venture was so successful that it attracted the attention of far flung radio enthusiasts who shipped their 1920's era RCA's, Westinghouse's and Grundig's from across the nation. During this time, Sousa was also featured in a TV program called "Jim's Hobby Shop" where he shared tips on re-finishing antiques at home. James Sousa was born on December 18, 1933 at home in Tiverton. He married Joan (St. Laurent) Sousa on May 5, 1955 and had five children, James Sousa of Redmond, Oregon, Michael Sousa of Solingen, Germany, Joseph Sousa of Tiverton, Christopher Sousa of Portsmouth and Mary Elizabeth Zois of Salem, Mass. He also leaves six grandchildren: Valerie, Angela, Mariel, Maya, Jane and Nicholas, and three great grandchildren. Additionally he leaves four remaining siblings, Alfred Sousa and Connie Carreiro of Tiverton, Alice McKenney of Swansea, Mass, and Peter Sousa of Newport.Final arrangements are private and a memorial service is planned for a later date.