Edwin R. Couto, Lt. Col. USAF Retired, 87, of Bedford, died on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023.
He was born on Nov. 22, 1935 and raised in Lawrence. He was the son of the late Fernand and Crisolina (Silva) Couto.
Following his graduation from Lawrence High School, he attended the University of Massachusetts – Amherst where he received his bachelor’s degree in chemistry and was commissioned into the Air Force through the ROTC program on June 10, 1958.
Ed married the love of his life, Frances Gucciardi on June 22, 1958.
Throughout the years, like many military families, he and his family lived in various states and three years in Japan. However, he was deployed unaccompanied, to the Vietnam War.
His final assignment was back home in Massachusetts at Hanscom Air Force Base. He retired from the Air Force in 1978 and worked many years for a government contractor.
Ed was an avid bowler and participated in three leagues a week, even during his later years.
Above all, he was blessed with the gift of six children: Diana Anderson; Richard married to Bonnie; Donna Schluckebier married to Thomas; Robert married to Susan; the late Sandra Milkakovich; and Daniel married to Sherry, as well as several grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Visitation for friends and family will be at the Bedford Funeral Home, 167 Great Rd., Bedford, from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 13.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held 10 a.m. at St. Michael Church, 90 Concord Rd., Bedford, on Thursday, Sept. 14, followed by interment at Shawsheen Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675, or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
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