Albert E. Couture, Jr., 88, of Manchester NH passed away at Epsom Health Care Center on May 1, 2017.
Albert was born on November 3, 1928. He is the eldest child of the late Albert E. Couture Sr. & Bernadette (Larochelle) Couture. A lifelong resident of Manchester, Al graduated from West High School in 1949, and served as a member of the Armed Forces (US Army) from 1946-1948, during the Korean War. He was employed as an electrician for the IBEW Local #719 and #490, and was a member of the VFW Post #8214, and the Disabled American Veterans (DAV).
Al was a well-known singer in the NH area. In his youth, he sang in the choir at Ste. Marie’s church as a boy soprano. As an adult, he studied voice at the New England Conservatory in Boston MA, and at Notre Dame College in Manchester NH. Additionally, he studied voice for many years under Ruth Morton, PhD in Hanover NH. Although Al’s musical passion was opera, he also enjoyed performing other types of classical works such as Oratorios and Cantatas, and performed in the Sacred Cantata The Seven Last Words of Christ (Dubois) 53 times. He also sang at services for the Jewish Temple, and performed at countless weddings and funerals throughout the NH area.
In addition to his passion for music, he loved all types of sports, particularly baseball, fishing, bowling and golf. Al was an avid NY Yankees Fan with extensive knowledge of stats and historic accounts of many of the great baseball legends. He coached youth baseball for the CYO at St. Augustine’s church, bowled in leagues for many years, and played in numerous golf tournaments in the Manchester area.
Albert is survived by his wife of 65 years, Jeannette (Halde) Couture, his daughter Suzanne and husband Maurice Desmarais, Hershey Pennsylvania; daughter, Diane and husband Thomas Cross, Ashland New York; son, Robert and wife Linda Couture, Goffstown NH; daughter, Michelle Harrington, Goffstown NH, and son Denis Couture, Hooksett NH. He also has 9 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Other family members include his brothers: Ray, Roger (deceased), Maurice and Richard, and a sister, Irene Morrissette, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Calling hours are scheduled from 4PM to 7PM on Friday May 19, 2017 at Boufford Funeral Home, 110 Bridge Street in Manchester, NH. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated in Ste. Marie’s Church, 378 Notre Dame Ave the following morning at 10:00am. A burial with military honors will be held at St. Augustin Cemetery on South Beech Street immediately following the Mass. In lieu of flowers, donations in Al’s name may be made to the Moore Center www.moorecenter.org.