James Souza, Jr. passed away on Sunday, February 13, 2022 at Kindred Hospital New Jersey in Rahway. He was 65 years old.

Born in Newark, he was a lifelong resident of the Colonia section of Woodbridge Township.

Mr. Souza was a 1974 graduate of Colonia High School and was employed by the Township of Woodbridge as police officer for 30 years, retiring as a Detective.

He was a communicant of Saint John Vianney Catholic Church in Colonia; and was a member of Colonia Fire Department since 1974, serving as Fire Chief from 1984-1986 and a Fire Commissioner from 1995 to 2015.

Mr. Souza was predeceased by his parents, James Souza, Sr., in 2000 and Faye Rozzo Souza in 2014.

Surviving are his brother, Anthony Souza and his wife, Linda, of Sayreville; niece, Stephanie Souza Mastorio and her husband, Kevin; his longtime companion, Denise Petrello and her sons, William and Nicholas and many loving cousins and friends.

Funeral services will take place on Friday, February 18, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. from Costello-Greiner Funeral Home, 44 Green Street, Woodbridge. A Mass of Resurrection will follow at 9:30 a.m. at Saint John Vianney Catholic Church, Colonia. Entombment will be in Saint Gertrude Cemetery, Colonia. Visitation for family and friends will be on Thursday evening from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Colonia Fire Department 250 Inman Avenue, Colonia, NJ 07067 or Colonia Corner Charities P.O. Box 245 Colonia, NJ 07067 would be appreciated