Emmett Anthony “Tony” Sousa

Emmett Anthony “Tony” Sousa died peacefully of prostate cancer on January 3, 2021, at his Dahlonega home,  surrounded by family and friends.  He was born in Fernandina, Florida on January 1, 1933 to Domingo “Charlie” Sousa and Ella May (Littles) Sousa.  He was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Elizabeth.

 He is survived by his wife Judy, his children Leslie Sousa of Tallahassee, Florida, his son Gregory (Denis) of  Gulfport, Florida, stepson Blair Waldron (Krysia) of Marietta, Georgia, stepdaughter Ashley (John) Hope of New Orleans, Louisiana, four grandchildren, 5 step-grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren.

Tony had a life-long interest in World War II, spurred on by growing up close to Jacksonville, Florida, and watching aircraft take off and land.  He determined he was going to be a military pilot; but a childhood accident in which he lost an eye caused that particular dream to end.  He compensated for it by taking flying lessons on his own, buying his own plane and flying for pleasure and for work until he retired.

He served 42 years as a civilian in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in many duty stations, mainly in the US.  He served 3 years in Panama and traveled on official business to almost every country in South America.  He also volunteered to serve in Desert Storm and spent six months in Saudi Arabia negotiating leases with the Saudi Government.

At the end of his career he was Director of Real Estate for the South Atlantic Division of the Corps of Engineers, based in Atlanta and living in Marietta.

Besides flying, Tony had a passion for cooking and for sailing and won many races with a sailing club in Oklahoma. He loved the outdoors and became an active hiker, hiking almost 2000 miles of the Appalachian Trail when he was in his 60’s, only stopping when his knees wore out.  Through many hikes in the Dahlonega area he decided to settle there and has been a resident for over 15 years.  

Later in his life he learned that his childhood home in Fernandina  was transformed into the Green Turtle Tavern and that most of the bar was located in his old bedroom, which he thought was appropriate.  He was known for telling interesting stories of his life experiences, and always claimed they were 75% true.  Friends and family remember his caring nature, his patience, and his sense of humor.

The family appreciates the support from Northeast Georgia Physicians Group and their Hospice organization and from his caregiver and friend, Teri Korinis.   He will be cremated, and a celebration of his amazing life will be announced later in the spring.  Those who wish to do so may donate to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy   ( PO Box 807,  799 Washington St., Harpers Ferry WV 25425-0807) in  his honor.

McDonald Funeral Home in Dahlonega (www.dahlonegafuneralhome.com) is handling arrangements, and condolences may be left at this site.