4/16/47 – 12/19/21
Antonio Helcio DeSouza, 74, passed away peacefully on December 19, 2021, with his family by his side. Predeceased by his parents, seven brothers, seven sisters, in-laws, and brother and sister-in-law. Survived by his wife, Patricia Caracci DeSouza (FHS Class of 1964), of fifty years, his two sons Charlie (Amy) and Andy (Katie), and five grandchildren (Grace, Hannah Joyce, Abigail, Addison, and Lucca). Additionally, survived by sisters-in-law Celeste (Gordon), Peggy (Bill), Christine (Curt), and six nieces and nephews in America, and sister Doralice, brothers Helio and Vava, along with well over one hundred and twenty-eight nieces and nephews in Brazil.
Antonio was born on April 16, 1947, in Euclides da Cunha, Bahia, Brazil along with 16 siblings. Because there wasn’t any middle school in Euclides, he attended the one in Tucano. For high school, he attended the Bahia Military Police Academy for two years and then transferred to Sao Paulo to graduate.
In 1969, Antonio met Patricia while she was in the Peace Corp in Euclides. They were married two years later, first in a civil service and then a month later in a religious ceremony, with only his family in attendance.
After moving to the United States, Antonio graduated from Monroe Community College, Nazareth College, and then earned his Masters in Computer Science at Rochester Institute of Technology, all while working full-time at Eastman Kodak Company and raising two boys. Antonio became a citizen of the United States of America on October 28, 1996.
During the early 1980s, Antonio was one of the pioneers cementing the Perinton Recreational Soccer program, which he led and coached for several years while Charlie and Andrew played. After coaching, he began refereeing through various groups in Monroe County in Western, NY, at the middle-school, high-school, and Men’s league levels. He was one of the most popular, well-respected refs in the area. Although he never showed favoritism, he secretly rooted for those soccer players who had the same names as his beloved grandchildren!
From 1986-1989, Antonio relocated his family to Brazil to learn the culture, language, and meet his large, extended family. When Charlie was approaching high-school age, they returned to reside in Fairport, NY. He was re-hired by Eastman Kodak Company, retired in 2009, and taught Portuguese at Terphane. Mostly thereafter, he and Patricia spent time with their grandchildren and traveled extensively with their Peace Corp friends. He continued to referee until a few months prior to his passing.
We praise the Lord for blessing us and his community with such a man.
Antonio’s calling hours will be held Wednesday December 29th, 2021 from 4-7PM at the Richard H. Keenan Funeral Home (EGYPT location 7501 Pittsford Palmyra Rd. Fairport NY). A Funeral Mass will be held Thursday December 30th at 10AM at the Church of the Assumption, Fairport NY (20 East Ave, Fairport NY 14450)
Comments
26 responses to “DeSouza, Antonio H.”
I have known Tony for at least 20 years as a fellow referee. He was always one of my favorite referees to officiate with as he had a positive and. calming personality. He was already missed this past season. He will always be in my thoughts on the pitch. Please accept my sincere condolences.
I have had the pleasure of working many games as a Referee with Tony. I will always remember his professionalism and calming demeanor. I am honored to have known him. Tony will be greatly missed by all of us.
My thoughts and prayers for Tony’s family. Tony was one of the kindest people I ever known. He was one of my favorite people to referee with. I never saw Tony flustered or get upset during a game. His professionalism and kindness will be dearly missed by all and especially by me.
While I echo the professionalism shared by fellow referees, Tony was a mentor to others and a great family man, always being by the side of his wonderful wife. Tony, you will be missed. With sincere condolences to the family, i know that he will rest in peace..
Tony was the epitome of what a referee should be. An absolute class act, and an even better human being. We will miss his presence on the pitch, but his kindness and memory will remain forever in our hearts. RIP Tony.
I refereed with Tony many times over the years. Tony was always kind and compassionate. Tony had the ability to calm everyone when tensions were high. A true gentleman on and off the field. I am so saddened to hear of his passing. I will miss his friendship. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. Rest in Peace my friend.
Tony was one of the best, kindest, warm-hearted, peaceful, considerate, and helpful people I have met in the Rochester community. I recall sharing car rides with him to soccer matches, and chatting about children and grandchildren, about computer science and soccer, about Rochester…Tony had both refereed some of my adult matches (how vividly I remember that game at Bristol…) as well as of my son’s…as well as had worked together as refs, both my son Alexander and I. Tony was so proud of his grandchildren, his children, and his family. We will all miss greatly such a gentleman and human being.
My sympathies and condolences to DeSouza family. I was another fortunate individual who had the privilege of connecting with Tony through soccer. His passion for the game of soccer and his dedication to refereeing was clear as soon as he arrived to the field. His smile was infectious. His passing is very sad indeed but we all have been blessed by this absolute gentleman and his impact on all of us who knew him will carry on. Thank you Tony you have given us a part of you that will live on. ??
Peace in you and your loved ones for our tears. Vain orphan, I wish you a safe return. To your loved ones, my sincere condolences.
As a member of the CWNYBASO, DeSouza was not just a partner, he was a friend and brother to many members of our unit.,
May his soul rest in peace.
I have had the honor of knowing and working with Tony at Kodak and as a fellow referee. My heart is broken, he will be missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to his entire family.
Pat, Andy and Charlie, may peace continue to be with you at this time. What a wonderful gift you all had in Tony. I so enjoyed talking with him and seeing him at the 6:00 mass. What a great man! The world is a better place because of your dad. Keep his smile on your face and his love in your hearts.
Tony and Patricia were some of the most important people in our lives when we first moved to Rochester, NY back in 2006. I had just started my new position at Terphane and my wife Fernanda and son Fernando embraced this adventure with me. None of them spoke English at the time. We always counted on Tony’s and Patricia’s gracious and whole heartedly support in many difficult occasions. You really were our parents away from home. Always helping us with a smile in your face and heart full of love. From driving Fernanda to the ER and babysitting our son when I was away for work to hosting the baby shower for our second child, you always showed up with grace, love and kindness.
Tony, you will be profoundly missed.
With much love,
Gabriel, Fernanda, Fernando and Raissa Caridade
I met Tony in 1975, the year I started in Kodak’s IT department. For many years I played on the same volleyball team as Tony, in the Kodak Office league. He was an excellent player, and he taught me a lot. Often he would bring a very young Charlie along to watch our games. Tony always seemed to have a smile on his face.
My prayers go out to his family.
Dear Charlie, you and your family have been in our thoughts and prayers since we heard about your father’s passing. May fond memories of your father bring you comfort during this hard time. We send you and your family our heartfelt condolences.
Helcio was a great friend from childhood and adolescence, almost a brother. I deeply regret this loss. My fraternal hugs to Patricia, Andy and Charles! RIP
My sincere condolences to the entire family for the loss of Tony. I met him and Patricia when I hired them to teach Portuguese to our US employees and English to our Brazilian employees and their families who transferred to the US. Tony (and Pat) were also gracious enough to assist me with a college project by sharing their insight on Brazilian culture. Tony and Patricia were a great team, and the two of them had such a positive impact for anyone who had the good fortune to know and work with them. I never saw Tony without a smile on his face, and he will be remembered fondly.
Tony and Patrícia were very important during my staying with family in Rochester. From the early days, Patrícia started teaching english and american lifestyle while Tony talked to me about many other things including soccer. We both had a glass of beer and wine.
Tony is on my heart and I pray God to receive him in peace.
Our condolences
Roberto, Eugênia, Tiago and Sofia
I had the pleasure meeting Tony and referring with him. A true gentleman and friend. Will be greatly missed. Rest in Peace !!!!
Dear Pat, Charlie and Anthony,
I am very sad that Tony had to leave you so soon. He is the kind of person that God should keep on earth a lot
longer than 74 years. Our increasingly divided world needs more like Tony whose warmth, compassion, kindness and
peaceful manner always made you better for knowing him.
Rest In Peace Tony! I’m glad I got to work with you and play volleyball with you at Kodak. I’m grateful that you talked me into getting involved in Perinton soccer. Such a wonderful soul!
Tony was always so soft spoken, that made you feel honored nd respected. So enjoyed working with him at the Fairport School budget elections for so many years. A kind and wonderful human being.
Pat, Charlie and Andrew, my thoughts are with you at this difficult time. I will always remember your family embracing us and helping us to adapt to life in Rochester. We have so many fond memories of shared dinners, baking together, grape picking and just hanging out. Tony always greeted us with his infectious enthusiasm for life. We have many fond memories of the times spent together in Rochester and later on an extended visit with you in Bahia. Although the miles separated us and I was not great at staying in touch , your friendship is in my heart and those of my family. Please accept condolences and draw on all the memories of Tony! So many great tributes to Tony on this site attest to what he meant to so many..
I’m so sorry to hear of Tony’s passing. He was a kind and beautiful soul. I will always remember his warm smile and peaceful demeanor. It’s evident from the comments here, that he brightened many lives.. Rest in peace, Tony.
My family and I thoughts and prayers go to his family. I officiated several good and controversial soccer games with my gentle, thoughtful, considerate, decisive friend. He never gave up on his call irrespective of what the opposing coaches think. Tony is a good human being, I will miss not seeing him. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace.. Tony will be immensely MISSED.
FHS Class of 1964 extends our deepest sympathy to Patti and the family for their loss. Tony was a wonderful person and a devoted husband and father.
I grew up with Tony’s son Andy and spent many wonderful years being coached by Tony in soccer. Tony was a wonderful person and always friendly. Please accept my condolences. Rest in peace Tony!