Jerry D. Couture

FEEDING HILLS – Jerry D. Couture, 72, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, neighbor, and friend, died suddenly on Sept. 10, 2019, at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Mass.

Born Oct. 22, 1946, in Holyoke, Mass., he was the son of the late Rene and Rena (Fountain) Couture. Growing up in Chicopee, Mass., Jerry was a 1964 graduate of Cathedral High School and attended Western New England College until being drafted into the United States Army in 1968.

He served two years at Long Binh Post in Vietnam, reaching the rank of Specialist E5 before receiving an honorable discharge in 1970. His service was extremely important to him, and among his affiliations later in life were American Legion Post No. 185, treasurer of VFW Post No. 1632, and a charter member of the Veterans Council in Agawam, Mass., where he lived the final 36 years of his life.

Jerry worked for more than 40 years as an engineer in the telecommunications industry, primarily for the Bell System and its subsequent companies. He retired from Holyoke Gas & Electric in 2012.

He was also a Life Member of Elks Lodge No. 902 in Holyoke, Mass.

Family and friends were the most important thing in his life; this led him to genealogy, eventually tracing the Couture name to its arrival in North America around 1640. He also enjoyed golf and working outside in his yard.

Jerry leaves his loving wife, Christine P. (Giblin) Couture of Feeding Hills; his sons, Jon Couture and his wife Julie of Wareham, Mass., and Matt Couture and his wife Melissa of Rochester, N.H.; his grandchildren, Noah and Max; his brothers, Norman Couture and his wife Maggie of Springfield, and Lester Couture and his wife Joan of Feeding Hills; as well as many nieces and nephews. 

Family and friends are invited to gather from 4-7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 16, 2019, at Colonial Forastiere Funeral & Cremation, 985 Main St., Agawam. Funeral services will be held at 9:45 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 17, at the funeral home, followed by committal services and military honors at 11 a.m. at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery in Agawam.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Dakin Humane Society, PO Box 6307, Springfield, MA 01101. For more information or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.forasteire.com