Freetown Fire Chief Adelino T. Souza, 64 died Sunday night at Union Hospital, Fall River. He was born in Berkley, and had lived in Freetown since 1941.
Joining the fire department in 1949, Chief Souza had been on a leave of absence for about a year. He had served as deputy fire chief since 1957 and had worked as a call fireman until appointed to a full-time position in July of 1973. He was appointed Chief June 11, 1975. He also was a member of the board of fire engineers for many years retiring from that position in 1973.
A veteran of World War II, the Freetown fire chief was a member of the Bristol County Fire Fighter and Forest Wardens Association, the Bristol County Fire Chief Association, the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians and the East Freetown Firemen's Association.
Acting Fire Chief C. Linwood Copeland said Chief Souza was "Very industrious" and credited the chief with being instrumental in establishing the town's first ambulance service in the mid 1950's and the establishment of the emergency communications center in 1965.
A fire department funeral was held Wednesday with Freetown firemen Chris Parker, James Smith, Al Whitcomb, Arnold Jose, Clarence Dearden and Ralph E. Gurney, Jr. serving as bearers. Honorary bearers were the Bristol County fire chiefs.
Three Freetown fire engines were to escort the funeral procession from New Bedford for the graveside service at Rounsvell Cemetery, County Road, across the street from the East Freetown fire station.
At the burial, the "last alarm" was sounded.
He was the husband of Elizabeth (Washburn) Wotton Souza of 21 Washburn Road East Freetown. He is survived by three stepsons, Richard L. Wotton of Lakeville, Sherwood E. Wotton of East Freetown and Stewart D. Wotton of Lincroft New Jersey; three step daughters, Mr. Charlotte W. Gunnerson of East Freetown, Mrs. Muriel W. Welcome of St. Albans West Virginia and Mrs. Betty Spratt of Dighton; three brothers, Gilbert of Taunton, Armond of Assonet and Lionel of Berkley; two sisters Mrs. Emily Silvan of Berkley and Mrs. Eilene Atkins of Middleboro.
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During Chief Adelino T. Souza's more than 25 years of service to the Freetown Fire Department, many accomplishments were made to improve the department.
The chief was instrumental in establishing two-way radio equipment, an ambulance service, a central communications center and a town owned fire station. Anyone who knew Chief Souza knew that he did more than his share in helping build the Freetown Fire Department to its present state.
Back in the early 1950's, Freetown firemen held various fund raising events to earn money for the purchase of the first two way radio and the used ambulance. The first station was purchased at a fraction of the cost of what the town would of had to pay for land and have a building constructed. Nevertheless, the initiative of Chief Souza not only saved the town money, but provided larger and more suitable quarters for the department to serve the eastern section of town.
Chief Souza was more than a fireman. As deputy chief, and later as chief, he was always respected by the firemen.
A successful fire department requires precise teamwork, and the team just doesn't work, even with the best equipment, without effective leadership.
Chief Souza had a special talent for being blunt, honest, diplomatic and likeable , and this went a long way in giving Freetowners excellent fire protection and ambulance service.
Adelino T. Souza was an exceptional Freetown citizen.
Joining the fire department in 1949, Chief Souza had been on a leave of absence for about a year. He had served as deputy fire chief since 1957 and had worked as a call fireman until appointed to a full-time position in July of 1973. He was appointed Chief June 11, 1975. He also was a member of the board of fire engineers for many years retiring from that position in 1973.
A veteran of World War II, the Freetown fire chief was a member of the Bristol County Fire Fighter and Forest Wardens Association, the Bristol County Fire Chief Association, the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians and the East Freetown Firemen's Association.
Acting Fire Chief C. Linwood Copeland said Chief Souza was "Very industrious" and credited the chief with being instrumental in establishing the town's first ambulance service in the mid 1950's and the establishment of the emergency communications center in 1965.
A fire department funeral was held Wednesday with Freetown firemen Chris Parker, James Smith, Al Whitcomb, Arnold Jose, Clarence Dearden and Ralph E. Gurney, Jr. serving as bearers. Honorary bearers were the Bristol County fire chiefs.
Three Freetown fire engines were to escort the funeral procession from New Bedford for the graveside service at Rounsvell Cemetery, County Road, across the street from the East Freetown fire station.
At the burial, the "last alarm" was sounded.
He was the husband of Elizabeth (Washburn) Wotton Souza of 21 Washburn Road East Freetown. He is survived by three stepsons, Richard L. Wotton of Lakeville, Sherwood E. Wotton of East Freetown and Stewart D. Wotton of Lincroft New Jersey; three step daughters, Mr. Charlotte W. Gunnerson of East Freetown, Mrs. Muriel W. Welcome of St. Albans West Virginia and Mrs. Betty Spratt of Dighton; three brothers, Gilbert of Taunton, Armond of Assonet and Lionel of Berkley; two sisters Mrs. Emily Silvan of Berkley and Mrs. Eilene Atkins of Middleboro.
~~~~~~
During Chief Adelino T. Souza's more than 25 years of service to the Freetown Fire Department, many accomplishments were made to improve the department.
The chief was instrumental in establishing two-way radio equipment, an ambulance service, a central communications center and a town owned fire station. Anyone who knew Chief Souza knew that he did more than his share in helping build the Freetown Fire Department to its present state.
Back in the early 1950's, Freetown firemen held various fund raising events to earn money for the purchase of the first two way radio and the used ambulance. The first station was purchased at a fraction of the cost of what the town would of had to pay for land and have a building constructed. Nevertheless, the initiative of Chief Souza not only saved the town money, but provided larger and more suitable quarters for the department to serve the eastern section of town.
Chief Souza was more than a fireman. As deputy chief, and later as chief, he was always respected by the firemen.
A successful fire department requires precise teamwork, and the team just doesn't work, even with the best equipment, without effective leadership.
Chief Souza had a special talent for being blunt, honest, diplomatic and likeable , and this went a long way in giving Freetowners excellent fire protection and ambulance service.
Adelino T. Souza was an exceptional Freetown citizen.
Freetown Fire Chief Adelino T. Souza, 64 died Sunday night at Union Hospital, Fall River. He was born in Berkley, and had lived in Freetown since 1941.
Joining the fire department in 1949, Chief Souza had been on a leave of absence for about a year. He had served as deputy fire chief since 1957 and had worked as a call fireman until appointed to a full-time position in July of 1973. He was appointed Chief June 11, 1975. He also was a member of the board of fire engineers for many years retiring from that position in 1973.
A veteran of World War II, the Freetown fire chief was a member of the Bristol County Fire Fighter and Forest Wardens Association, the Bristol County Fire Chief Association, the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians and the East Freetown Firemen's Association.
Acting Fire Chief C. Linwood Copeland said Chief Souza was "Very industrious" and credited the chief with being instrumental in establishing the town's first ambulance service in the mid 1950's and the establishment of the emergency communications center in 1965.
A fire department funeral was held Wednesday with Freetown firemen Chris Parker, James Smith, Al Whitcomb, Arnold Jose, Clarence Dearden and Ralph E. Gurney, Jr. serving as bearers. Honorary bearers were the Bristol County fire chiefs.
Three Freetown fire engines were to escort the funeral procession from New Bedford for the graveside service at Rounsvell Cemetery, County Road, across the street from the East Freetown fire station.
At the burial, the "last alarm" was sounded.
He was the husband of Elizabeth (Washburn) Wotton Souza of 21 Washburn Road East Freetown. He is survived by three stepsons, Richard L. Wotton of Lakeville, Sherwood E. Wotton of East Freetown and Stewart D. Wotton of Lincroft New Jersey; three step daughters, Mr. Charlotte W. Gunnerson of East Freetown, Mrs. Muriel W. Welcome of St. Albans West Virginia and Mrs. Betty Spratt of Dighton; three brothers, Gilbert of Taunton, Armond of Assonet and Lionel of Berkley; two sisters Mrs. Emily Silvan of Berkley and Mrs. Eilene Atkins of Middleboro.
~~~~~~
During Chief Adelino T. Souza's more than 25 years of service to the Freetown Fire Department, many accomplishments were made to improve the department.
The chief was instrumental in establishing two-way radio equipment, an ambulance service, a central communications center and a town owned fire station. Anyone who knew Chief Souza knew that he did more than his share in helping build the Freetown Fire Department to its present state.
Back in the early 1950's, Freetown firemen held various fund raising events to earn money for the purchase of the first two way radio and the used ambulance. The first station was purchased at a fraction of the cost of what the town would of had to pay for land and have a building constructed. Nevertheless, the initiative of Chief Souza not only saved the town money, but provided larger and more suitable quarters for the department to serve the eastern section of town.
Chief Souza was more than a fireman. As deputy chief, and later as chief, he was always respected by the firemen.
A successful fire department requires precise teamwork, and the team just doesn't work, even with the best equipment, without effective leadership.
Chief Souza had a special talent for being blunt, honest, diplomatic and likeable , and this went a long way in giving Freetowners excellent fire protection and ambulance service.
Adelino T. Souza was an exceptional Freetown citizen.
Joining the fire department in 1949, Chief Souza had been on a leave of absence for about a year. He had served as deputy fire chief since 1957 and had worked as a call fireman until appointed to a full-time position in July of 1973. He was appointed Chief June 11, 1975. He also was a member of the board of fire engineers for many years retiring from that position in 1973.
A veteran of World War II, the Freetown fire chief was a member of the Bristol County Fire Fighter and Forest Wardens Association, the Bristol County Fire Chief Association, the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians and the East Freetown Firemen's Association.
Acting Fire Chief C. Linwood Copeland said Chief Souza was "Very industrious" and credited the chief with being instrumental in establishing the town's first ambulance service in the mid 1950's and the establishment of the emergency communications center in 1965.
A fire department funeral was held Wednesday with Freetown firemen Chris Parker, James Smith, Al Whitcomb, Arnold Jose, Clarence Dearden and Ralph E. Gurney, Jr. serving as bearers. Honorary bearers were the Bristol County fire chiefs.
Three Freetown fire engines were to escort the funeral procession from New Bedford for the graveside service at Rounsvell Cemetery, County Road, across the street from the East Freetown fire station.
At the burial, the "last alarm" was sounded.
He was the husband of Elizabeth (Washburn) Wotton Souza of 21 Washburn Road East Freetown. He is survived by three stepsons, Richard L. Wotton of Lakeville, Sherwood E. Wotton of East Freetown and Stewart D. Wotton of Lincroft New Jersey; three step daughters, Mr. Charlotte W. Gunnerson of East Freetown, Mrs. Muriel W. Welcome of St. Albans West Virginia and Mrs. Betty Spratt of Dighton; three brothers, Gilbert of Taunton, Armond of Assonet and Lionel of Berkley; two sisters Mrs. Emily Silvan of Berkley and Mrs. Eilene Atkins of Middleboro.
~~~~~~
During Chief Adelino T. Souza's more than 25 years of service to the Freetown Fire Department, many accomplishments were made to improve the department.
The chief was instrumental in establishing two-way radio equipment, an ambulance service, a central communications center and a town owned fire station. Anyone who knew Chief Souza knew that he did more than his share in helping build the Freetown Fire Department to its present state.
Back in the early 1950's, Freetown firemen held various fund raising events to earn money for the purchase of the first two way radio and the used ambulance. The first station was purchased at a fraction of the cost of what the town would of had to pay for land and have a building constructed. Nevertheless, the initiative of Chief Souza not only saved the town money, but provided larger and more suitable quarters for the department to serve the eastern section of town.
Chief Souza was more than a fireman. As deputy chief, and later as chief, he was always respected by the firemen.
A successful fire department requires precise teamwork, and the team just doesn't work, even with the best equipment, without effective leadership.
Chief Souza had a special talent for being blunt, honest, diplomatic and likeable , and this went a long way in giving Freetowners excellent fire protection and ambulance service.
Adelino T. Souza was an exceptional Freetown citizen.
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