Robert F. Couture

NAPLES — Robert F. “Bob” Couture, 87, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2017, at his home in Naples, surrounded by his family. He was the loving husband of Annette E. “Jackie” (Berard) Couture, to whom he was married 60 years.

Born in Fall River, Mass., a son of the late Napoleon W. and the late Annie M. (Bodeau) Couture. He grew up in Westport, Mass., and was a longtime resident of Swansea, Mass., before relocating to Naples in 2004, where the family kept a vacation home since 1968.

A school educator for 40 years until his retirement in 1993, he began his career in East Fairhaven, Mass., and then moved on to Warren, R.I., where he taught middle school, coached sports and was promoted to Principal of the Liberty and Main Street Schools. Later he served as Assistant Superintendent of the Swansea Schools for nine years and then as Principal of the Saint Michael’s, Luther and Gardner Elementary Schools.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his five children, Robert Couture Jr. of Boston, Annette “Nan” Griffin and her husband Michael of Swansea, John Couture and his wife Lee of Raymond, Maine, Thomas Couture and his wife Donna of Auburn, Ala., and Elizabeth Wetterland and her husband Kris of Warren, R.I.; one sister, Joy Smith and her husband Robert; nine grandchildren, Brendan Griffin, Julian Couture, Ashley Wetterland, Amelia Couture, Kris Wetterland Jr., Kate Griffin, Avery Couture, Allie Griffin and Trevor Griffin and several nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Edith Pelletier and Paul Couture.

His Funeral Service will be held Thursday, Dec. 28, at 10 a.m., from the Waring-Sullivan Home at Birchcrest, 189 Gardners Neck Road, Swansea, Mass., with a Funeral Mass at 11 a.m., in St. Dominic’s Church, 1277 G.A.R. Highway, Swansea, Mass. Visiting hours will be Wednesday, Dec. 27, from 4 to 7 p.m. Relatives and friends are invited. Contributions, in lieu of flowers, may be made to: VNA Home Health Hospice, 50 Foden Road, Portland, ME 04106 or https://emhsfoundation.org/vna-donation/ (donation for Robert Couture, VNA Greatest Need).