Robert Couture

Robert L. Couture, a longtime resident of Wakefield, died Saturday, August 20, at the Melrose-Wakefield Hospital in Melrose. The husband of Maureen T. (Keeley) Couture, he was 75 years old.

Born in Everett on November 26, 1946, Bob, as he was affectionately known, was one of six children born to the late Francis Xavier and Anne J. (Donnelly) Couture. Bob grew up in Melrose and loved going on adventures with his family. He enjoyed vacationing at the Kancamagus River, and his dad would take the family there before there was even a paved road. He loved to camp in the woods along the river. As his kids grew older, he enjoyed celebrating Christmas at Claire's and Mary's houses in Peabody and Wakefield with the entire Couture family.

Bob attended St. Mary's Catholic School until 1960 and later graduated from Melrose High School in 1964. When he was seventeen years old, he started his job at First National Stores where he continued to work for fifteen years. At First National, he met his beloved wife Maureen, whom he married in March 1970. Also, in 1970, Bob began his career at Hogan Tire & Auto in Woburn. For many years, Bob would work at Hogan Tire during the day, stop at his home in Reading to change and then go to his second job at First National. Bob continued his career at Hogan Tire & Auto for over fifty years and he was such a dedicated employee. He possessed a very strong work ethic throughout his life and rarely ever missed a day.

In 1974, Bob and Maureen made Wakefield their home where they raised four children. Bob was an avid hockey fan and a proud hockey dad and granddad. He loved to go to the Boston Beanpot with his late father-in-law Jim Keeley and Frank Pagliuca and Frozen Four trips with his family and friends. Bob was always in the front row for his daughter's dance recitals and in the stands for his sons' soccer, basketball, hockey, and baseball games. A loyal Red Sox fan, he had also loved to visit many of the Major League baseball parks with his father-in law and family. He was an extremely proud father who saved every card, note, report card, and achievement for each of his kids. As a family, we enjoyed vacationing in Cape Cod with the Colli Family and in Eastman, New Hampshire at Uncle Richard's. It was not a surprise for Bob to take the kids out and not return for many hours because an adventure took them to a random covered bridge, the Erie Locks or even Canada. Bob and his family also loved spending time in Madison, New Hampshire and Silver Lake with his sister Mary and her family.

Once Bob became a beloved grandfather, he cherished his grandchildren and spending time with them. Seamus, Ava, and AJ lovingly called him Papa and one could always find him supporting the grandkids at their activities and school events. Bob loved going to Ava's dance recitals, Seamus's lacrosse, basketball and soccer games, and AJ's hockey, lacrosse and baseball games. Besides spending time with his grandchildren, Bob was also proud Patriots' season ticket holder and looked forward to the games, tailgating with his Pat's crew, who lovingly referred to him as "Cooch" and leaving the parking lot an hour before the game to ensure he made it there in time for kickoff.

He was the beloved and dedicated husband to Maureen T. (Keeley) Couture, with whom he shared 52 wonderful years of marriage. He always enjoyed going to Woodman's with his wife for fried clams and lobster, grabbing a burger at the bar at Davio's or stopping for seafood at Turner's. He was the loving father of Matthew R. Couture of Norwalk, CT, Melissa K. Cable and her husband Jason of Wakefield, Adam M. Couture of Wakefield, and Jared D. Couture of Woburn. He was the adoring grandfather of Seamus and Ava Cable and AJ Couture. He was the brother of Richard Couture of Danvers, Claire Strong of Peabody, Katherine Kulch of Malden, Mary Walsh of Rancho Bernardo, CA and Joseph Couture of Ipswich.

His Funeral Mass will be celebrated in Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 1155 Main St., Wakefield on Monday, August 29 at 11am. Visitation for relatives and friends will be held at the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield on Sunday from 1-4pm. Interment, Forest Glade Cemetery, Wakefield.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692.

Sunday, August 28
1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

McDonald Funeral Home
19 Yale Ave
Wakefield, MA 01880
(781) 245-3550

Monday, August 29
11:00 AM

Most Blessed Sacrament Church
1155 Main St.
Wakefield, MA 01880
(781) 245-2080