The Association had learned of the death of Peter de Souza.
From Peter Hoar:
I am informed by the Buccaneer Aircrew Association that Peter de Souza
passed away on May 29th 2015, age 78. His wife Carla survives him.
He was inter alia on Scimitars then Buccaneers. Latterly a Captain with
Cathay Pacific.
The Association has learned of the death of Lt Cdr Peter George de Souza RN on 29 May 2015 aged 78. Peter was taken ill whilst on a Mediterranean cruise and died in hospital in Spain. He is survived by his widow, Carla.
From Records
Instructor 736 NAS
Post retirement job.
1968 FRU at Hurn- QFI Scimitars, Meteors
1968. Channel Airways Southend –Fleet Manager Herons, Doves
1969 -1993 Cathay Pacific Airways – Hong Kong.
Senior Check Captain. Convair 880, Boeing 707-320, Lockheed Tri-Star, Boeing 747 – 200,300,400 series & freighters
1995-1997 Virgin Atlantic Airways – Captain Boeing 747, – 100, 200. Series.
Total flying hours-18,000 plus also additional 4500 hours simulator instruction
From References
Supermarine Scimitar XD276 – last operational Scimitar flight from HMS Ark Royal to Yeovilton 1.10.66
Supermarine Scimitar XD277 of 803 Squadron on 6 April 1966, partial hydraulic failure and fire warnings after take-off from Changi, first starboard then port engine, aircraft headed seawards and pilot ejected, the aircraft crashed in sea in flames. Lt P G de Souza rescued injured about 100yards from the coast by helicopter.
Carla’s Tribute
Peter had not been particularly well for the first 6 months of 2015. In January he booked a Med cruise for himself, me and our niece and nephew (a trip of a lifetime for them). He was really excited for all of us. We knew the risks and possibility that something health wise could happen. Who was I to deny him the pleasure of making others happy. While in Cadiz hospital he encouraged the niece and nephew to continue the trip. The day before he became critically ill, he said to me “CJ, as soon as we get home, I’m going to find the creepiest, oldest, most-haunted English pub and take you there for several days to make up for the cruise.” Always thinking of others to the end.
Peter joined the military aged 17 and became a successful pilot in the Fleet Air Arm. He regaled everyone with stories of the different planes he flew and the numerous Pilots he admired. Later he joined Cathay Pacific (in their early days) in Hong Kong and became one of their top training captains. He also enjoyed these years where he made many more life time friends. From what I have heard, Peter had the reputation of being a gentle giant with an infectious laugh and always an officer and a gentleman.
During 1991 we were introduced by a mutual friend. Peter had to retire at 55, so he decided to return to England where he still had family. He asked if I would like to give England a try. Peter became my friend, companion, mentor and gave me a new lease of life. There were times when he had difficulty in understanding some of my American ways…usually said I was getting up his right nostril.
On returning to England we looked for new adventures. Tried boating for a while but motorcycling came out on top. We got together with a marvellous group of like-minded enthusiasts travelling throughout Europe causing mayhem – with me as talking ballast.
When we first got together marriage was not in the equation – we both had been there, done that and had the toaster. One day while doing paperwork in the home office, Peter turned to me and said “well I guess it’s time you made an honest man of me.” We married quietly on 1 June 2005. We enjoyed 24 years together of which included 9 years and 362 days of marriage.
Peter then inherited a ready-made American family. When the grandkids began to arrive he was thrilled. I became Grans and he was Grumps.
One of Peter’s pleasures in life besides rugby, cricket, Formula 1 was to help the families on both sides of the Atlantic to have a better life.
The Good Lord decided it was time to relieve Peter of “getting up sick and tired and going to bed sick and tired;” no more blood tests or handfuls of pills; or being perpetually cold. Over the last ten years of various health problems Peter never complained but always had a ready smile. He died peacefully with no pain. If he had lived he would not have been the old Peter we all loved and enjoyed. Don’t be sad, fill those feelings with happy memories.
I promised Peter
I will remember the PAST (the ups and downs of our life together)
I will live in the PRESENT (and get on with life)
I will hope for the FUTURE (to continue his legacy of helping others)
Peter can rest in peace now.
Loving wife, Carla (CJ) de Souza
Lieutenant Commander Peter George De Souza RN
Died on 29 May 2015 aged 78. Pilot 803, 736.
Post retirement jobs,
1968 FRU at Hurn – QFI Scimitars, Meteors.
1968. Channel Airways Southend – Fleet Manager Herons, Doves.
1969 -1993 Cathay Pacific Airways – Hong Kong.
Senior Check Captain. Convair 880, Boeing 707-320, Lockheed Tri-Star, Boeing 747 – 200, 300, 400 series and freighters.
1995-1997 Virgin Atlantic Airways – Captain Boeing 747, – 100, 200. Series.
Total flying hours – 18,000 plus also additional 4,500 hours simulator instruction.
From References
Supermarine Scimitar XD276 – last operational Scimitar flight from HMS Ark Royal to Yeovilton 1 October 1966.
Supermarine Scimitar XD277 of 803 NAS on 6 April 1966, partial hydraulic failure and fire warnings after take-off from Changi, first starboard then port engine, aircraft headed seawards and pilot ejected, the aircraft crashed in sea in flames. Lieutenant P.G. de Souza rescued injured about 100 yards from the coast by helicopter.
Peter’s tribute by his wife Carla.
Peter had not been particularly well for the first 6 months of 2015. In January he booked a Med cruise for himself, me and our niece and nephew (a trip of a lifetime for them). He was really excited for all of us. We knew the risks and possibility that something health wise could happen. Who was I to deny him the pleasure of making others happy. While in Cadiz hospital he encouraged the niece and nephew to continue the trip. The day before he became critically ill, he said to me,
“CJ, as soon as we get home, I’m going to find the creepiest, oldest, most-haunted English pub and take you there for several days to make up for the cruise.”
Always thinking of others to the end.
Peter joined the military aged 17 and became a successful pilot in the Fleet Air Arm. He regaled everyone with stories of the different planes he flew and the numerous pilots he admired. Later he joined Cathay Pacific (in their early days) in Hong Kong and became one of their top training captains. He also enjoyed these years where he made many more life time friends. From what I have heard, Peter had the reputation of being a gentle giant with an infectious laugh and always an officer and a gentleman.
During 1991 we were introduced by a mutual friend. Peter had to retire at 55, so he decided to return to England where he still had family. He asked if I would like to give England a try. Peter became my friend, companion, mentor and gave me a new lease of life. There were times when he had difficulty in understanding some of my American ways…usually said I was getting up his right nostril.
On returning to England we looked for new adventures. Tried boating for a while but motorcycling came out on top. We got together with a marvellous group of like-minded enthusiasts travelling throughout Europe causing mayhem – with me as talking ballast.
When we first got together marriage was not in the equation – we both had been there, done that and had the toaster. One day while doing paperwork in the home office, Peter turned to me and said,
“Well I guess it’s time you made an honest man of me.”
We married quietly on 1 June 2005. We enjoyed 24 years together of which included 9 years and 362 days of marriage.
Peter then inherited a ready-made American family. When the grandkids began to arrive he was thrilled. I became Grans and he was Grumps.
One of Peter’s pleasures in life besides rugby, cricket, Formula 1 was to help the families on both sides of the Atlantic to have a better life.
The Good Lord decided it was time to relieve Peter of ‘getting up sick and tired and going to bed sick and tired;’ no more blood tests or handfuls of pills; or being perpetually cold. Over the last ten years of various health problems Peter never complained but always had a ready smile. He died peacefully with no pain. If he had lived he would not have been the old Peter we all loved and enjoyed.