ROBERT E. "BOB" COUTURE

COUTURE, Robert E. "Bob" Of Natick, died peacefully with his wife and two sons by his side, on Wednesday, April 17, at the Miriam Boyd Parlin Hospice Residence in Wayland, MA, at the age of 86. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Janice (Solari) Couture of Natick, MA; son, Craig Couture and his wife, Lucy (Wardell); and their three sons, August, William and Charlie of Natick, MA; son, Steven Couture of Oakland, CA; brother, Richard Couture and wife, Kay (Hunt) of Sutton, MA; sister-in-law, Judith (Simm) Solari of Marlborough, MA; nieces and nephews, Donna Solari, Christine (Couture) Valls and Rick Couture; and many close family members and friends. He was preceded in death by brother, Roland Couture of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; and brother-in-law, Charles Solari of Marlborough, MA. Bob was born on July 21, 1937 in Arlington, MA to Auguste "Gus" Couture and Ceasarie "Sue" (Gauvin) Couture. He attended Somerville public schools before graduating in 1959 from Salem State College, with a Bachelor's degree in Education and then, in 1964 with a Master's degree. He went on to postgraduate studies at Boston University and earned his Ed.D. from Boston College in 1979. He met his wife, Jan, at the Innitou Ski Runners Ski & Social Club in North Conway, NH and married in 1968. They eventually settled down in Reading, MA with their two boys and after becoming Superintendent for Dover-Sherborn Public Schools, the family relocated to Natick, MA. Bob had a passion for teaching and education, working in the field for almost 50 years. He was first a teacher and guidance counselor and eventually, became Elementary Principal first in Woodstock, VT, then North Reading and Bedford, MA. After his Assistant Superintendency of four years and Superintendent role of fifteen for Dover-Sherborn, he unofficially retired. He went on to serve as interim Superintendent for seven different school systems in the area, eventually returning to Dover-Sherborn for his final interim role before officially retiring. Bob was passionate about playing golf, following Boston sports, enjoying his wife's cooking and being "Gramps" to his three grandkids. He enjoyed going to the movies, being in nature, whether it was taking the family camping, skiing or observing the birds outside his windows and occasionally, "visiting his money" at the local casino to play the "penny slots". In his free time, he would often take the family on weekend adventures into Boston and road trips to northern New England. He also liked to plan trips and travel, visiting many foreign countries and cruising the Caribbean, often with his wife, Jan. Visiting Hours will be at John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, in Natick, on Saturday, April 27, from 2 to 4 pm, with a Prayer Service to follow. Please consider making a small donation to help support the many individuals and families dealing with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia, at https://act.alz.org/ For online guestbook & directions, everettfuneral.com John Everett & Sons Natick 508 653 4342

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