Obituary of John William Souza

John William Souza was born on November 16, 1936 to Manuel (Thomas) and Maria Souza in Seaside California. John was the youngest of eight children and spent his childhood on the family dairy in Seaside and also played football, basketball, and baseball at Monterey High School. After graduating in 1955 John joined the Navy and served his two years of active duty in EI Centro California. While on active duty he married Nancy Prego, the mother of his three children. Upon completion of his military service, John returned home to Monterey where lived until moving to Salinas to raise his family and then lived his final 25 years in Hollister. John worked over 40 years in the sales and service industry throughout the Monterey and Salinas area, finishing his sales career with Young's Market Distributors. In addition to his love for his family and hunting, sports were John's passion. After completing his high school career, John played competitive basketball and baseball during his service in the Navy. He also had a long career in fast pitch softball, playing most of his 20 plus years for Peninsula Paint of Pacific Grove. John was a referee of high school and junior college basketball for over 20 years. John also gave to his community by coaching youth sports. In addition to years of coaching Little league and Babe Ruth baseball, John had a very successful run as the Head Coach of the Steinbeck Tigers Pop Warner Football team. John's teams won numerous league championships and many of his players went on to successful high school, college, and a couple of professional football careers. But John's favorite sport was golf, which he played into his 80's before a hip injury forced him to give up the game he loved. John was famous for his competitive nature and ribbing of his partners and opponents. John was also known for "shooting his age" numerous times. John is survived by his wife JoAnn of 23 years, son Andy (Marcia) Souza, daughter Sandra Harguindeguy, and son John (Jancy) Souza, stepsons Philip Meyenberg, Denny (Annette) Meyenberg, and Scott Meyenberg. He is also survived by his grandchildren Robyn (Bryan) Torres, Kevin (lyndi) Souza, Krystie Harguindeguy, Sal Harguindeguy, Trent Souza, and eight great-grandchildren. He is also survived by 14 nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his parents, Manuel and Maria Souza, his brothers Eddie Souza, William Souza, Albert Souza, and Edward Souza, his sisters lillian Mendonsa, lucille Giamona, and Florence Stephens, his nieces Diane Beattie and Kathi Ball and nephew Thomas Giamona. Services are pending