OBITUARY: FRANK B. SOUSA, Jr.,

FRANK B. SOUSA, Jr., 65
The President of Colonial Wholesale Beverage Co. passed away unexpectedly on July 25. Born in Fall River, Mr. Sousa graduated from Coyle-Cassidy High School in 1963 and from Boston College with an Accounting degree in 1967.  He started with Colonial Wholesale Beverage in 1963, and in 1968 entered in a position of accounting and finance.  In 1983, he became the President, and used his extraordinary insight to nurture and grow the business.  Mr. Sousa’s passions include participation in the beer business – having served on the Executive boards of both the State and National Beer Wholesalers Organizations.  He also served on the board of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, UMass Foundation and Family Business Center at UMass.  Mr. Sousa was an intricate part in the development of the Portuguese American Archives.  In 2OOO, he was given an honorary Doctorate Degree in Business by the University. Within the community-at-large he served as a Treasurer of the Bristol County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Trustee for the Teamsters Local Welfare Fund and was active with the United Way of Fall River. In addition to his wife Helene he leaves behind his son Frank B. Sousa, III, two grandchildren and a large extended family.

We at Massachusetts’ Beverage Business convey our deepest sympathies to the Sousa family.