Leo J. Coutu

Leo J. Coutu
of Dracut; former Corrections Officer; 49

LOWELL -- Leo J. Coutu, 49, of Dracut, died unexpectedly, July 4, 2012. He was the loving husband of Tanya (Freitas) Coutu, with whom he would have celebrated their Wedding Anniversary later this month.

A son of Kathleen 'Bunny' (Connors) Coutu of Dracut, and the late Edmund 'Gus' Coutu, Leo was born October 26, 1962, in Lowell, and educated in the local schools, graduating from Bishop Guertin High School, Class of 1980. He graduated from the University of Lowell in 1987, with a degree in Criminal Justice.

At a young age, Leo worked with the Parks and Recreation Department and later he worked as a bartender for various establishments in Lowell. While in college, he worked for the United States Post Office in Lowell. He then worked for the Department of Corrections for twenty two years, beginning his career at Lemuel Shattuck. Later he worked at MCI Concord, MCI Shirley Medium Corrections Facility, and Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center, and was a former member of the tactical unit. He retired from the Department of Corrections in August 2011. Since 2004, he worked as a funeral assistant for the McDonough Funeral Home. After retiring, he worked for the University of Massachusetts at Lowell Shuttle Service and for the Tsongas Center in security.

In his younger days he was an avid runner, having completed four Boston Marathons. Leo was an avid Patriots fan and season ticket holder. He also coached Soccer for the Lowell Youth Soccer Association. More recently he enjoyed spending time with his family and taking walks, as well as spending time at Seabrook beach. A loving and caring father, he was very involved in all of his daughters sporting activities.

He made his home in Dracut for the past fifteen years, and was a communicant of St. Anthony's Church.

Besides his wife, Tanya, he is survived by his daughters, Jacquelyn Coutu, Rylee Coutu, and Lily Coutu all of Dracut; his mother, Bunny Coutu of Dracut; his brother, Steve Coutu and his wife, Lori, of Chelmsford; his sisters, Judi Reilly of Chelmsford, Amy Gillis and her husband, Ricky of Lowell, and Lyn Perreira and her husband, Bryan, of Chelmsford; his mother-in-law, Patricia (Santos) Freitas and her significant other, Robert Clegg, of Lowell; his sister-in- law, Dena Lusakhpuryan and her husband, Alex, of Lowell; his grandmother-in-law, Connie Santos of Lowell; and his nieces and nephews, Alyssa, Patrick, Erin, Samuel, Wilson, Michael, Maura, Matthew, Julia, and Brady. He is also survived by many aunts, uncles, and friends.

COUTU -- YOU ARE INVITED TO HIS CALLING HOURS 1 UNTIL 3 AND 6 UNTIL 9 P.M. ON MONDAY, JULY 9. ON TUESDAY, HIS FUNERAL WILL BEGIN AT 9 A.M. AT THE MCDONOUGH FUNERAL HOME, 14 HIGHLAND STREET, LOWELL (978 OR 800) 458-6816. HIS FUNERAL MASS WILL BE OFFERED AT ST. ANTHONY'S CHURCH, 893 CENTRAL ST., LOWELL AT 10 A.M. BURIAL IN ST. JOSEPH CEMETERY. IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, FOR HIS DAUGHTERS, DONATIONS MADE OUT TO COUTU FAMILY MEMORIAL FUND CAN BE SENT TO JEANNE D'ARC CREDIT UNION (JDCU) P.O. BOX 1238, LOWELL MA 01853-1238. E-CONDOLENCE SITE WWW.MCDONOUGHFUNERALHOME.COM