HEATHER CASEY
Firehouse.Com News

A Massachusetts firefighter passed away May 30 due to complications from a severe electrical shock he suffered at a structure fire in 1995.

Capt. Donald "Snuffy" Souza, 64, served 31 years at the Centerville-Osterville-Marstons Mills Department of Fire-Rescue & Emergency Services.

On December 23, 1995, he was performing a search and rescue at a two-alarm residential fire.

"He was coming down the cellar stairs when he hit something with the back of his hand," said Lt. Brady Rogers, Souza's godson. "It charged and it blew his glove right off him."

The shock came from a residential alarm system, Rogers said.

Souza suffered electrical burns to his hand and cardiac problems that forced his early retirement from the department. Although he could no longer work as a firefighter, Souza remained active with the department by organizing social events and serving on a committee.

"He was in the station every day," Rogers said.

Souza is survived by his wife, his grown daughter and his three grown sons. His funeral service was held June 3.

Rogers said the captain loved to play golf and the card game "hearts." Almost everybody called him "Snuffy," for as long as Rogers can remember.

"He used to have sniffles all the time," Rogers said. "Somebody pegged that on him once and it stuck."