Thomas (Tommy) A. Souza
The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution announces with great sorrow the death of former employee Thomas (Tommy) A. Souza on September 19, 2026. Tommy passed away peacefully in his sleep. He was 88.
Born on October 25, 1937, Tommy lived a life defined by curiosity, craftsmanship, adventure, and a deep love for family.
A welder by trade, Tommy began his career at WHOI in 1956 as a Helper in the Garage. In 1974, he changed his position to a part-time welder. He left in 1975. While at WHOI, he brought his skill, ingenuity, and dedication to projects that explored the oceans and advanced our understanding of the underwater world. He was especially proud of his work at Benthos and Deep-Sea Systems, where he helped build deep-sea remotely operated vehicles that supported underwater exploration and scientific research.
Tommy possessed an adventurous spirit that carried him to remarkable places throughout his life. His work and travels took him to the Arctic, to Scotland in search of the mysteries surrounding Loch Ness, and off the coast of Florida, where he participated in the retrieval of Space Shuttle fuel tanks. He sailed aboard the research vessel Atlantis I to Bermuda and later sailed from Falmouth to Florida aboard a 28-foot sailboat with a friend. His passion was golf, and he played at Pebble Beach, visited St. Andrews, and went to Augusta, Georgia.
To his family, Tommy was more than an adventurer—he was the creator of unforgettable experiences. His children, along with their cousins and friends, were never bored, as Tommy was constantly dreaming up new adventures, projects, skits and explorations that inspired imagination, laughter, and lifelong memories.
A talented artist and gifted craftsman, Tommy, also known as Tinker, had an extraordinary ability to create with his hands. Whether working in metal or wood, he transformed ideas into lasting works of beauty and function. His creativity, resourcefulness, and pride in craftsmanship were evident in everything he built.
Tommy joins his beloved parents, Manuel and Helen Souza, as well as his brothers Donald and his wife Sheila, James and sister Jane. He is survived by his cousin, Mike Rogers and his wife, Carol; Mike was raised alongside Tommy as a brother; his sons, Thomas and his wife Karen; Todd and his partner Laura; and Terry and his wife Kelley. He also leaves behind his beloved grandchildren, TJ and his wife, Liz; Robert; Chris; Sierra; Noah; Patrick; Colin; Kyle; and Sean; and his great-grandson, Thomas.
He is also survived by his nieces, Susan Fulton and Jacqueline Souza; nephews Robert Ransom and David Souza and his wife Adrienne; great-nieces and great-nephews; as well as all of the many cousins he loved so much and who held a special place in his heart.
Tommy will be remembered for his warm spirit, his sense of adventure, his remarkable talents, and the joy he brought to those around him. The memories he created, the work he accomplished, and the example he set will continue to live on in the hearts of his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.
He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.
A celebration of Tommy’s life will be held at Chapman Funeral Home, Main Street, Falmouth, Massachusetts, on Monday, September 28, 2026, from 4-6 p.m., followed by a brief service at 6 p.m. Burial will be private at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, make someone smile, take a kid on an adventure, and live your best life.
A special thank you to the staff and friends at Royal Falmouth who cared for him with compassion and grace.
Information for this obituary is from the Chapman Funeral Website