Fall River native, coach, and local teacher passes away after leukemia battle

A Fall River native who was in the fight for his life is now hopefully at rest and at peace.

Those who knew 54-year-old Paul Couto say he was an amazing father and a beloved teacher at Freetown Lakeville Middle School where he taught for 20 years.

Paul graduated from Diman Regional Vocational High School and earned his master’s degree in education at Bridgewater State University.

Couto has been described as a family man who was kind and patient. He gave back to his community as a host to international exchange students and also as a Fall River soccer and baseball coach.

Couto had a rare and aggressive form of leukemia which led to his family and friends organizing a bone marrow drive earlier this year in an attempt to save his life.

Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation for Paul on Saturday, December 17th from 12:00 – 4:00 P.M. at the Manuel Rogers Funeral Home, 1521 N. Main Street, Fall River, with a memorial service in the funeral home at 3:00 P.M. A celebration of life to follow at McGovern’s from 8:00-11:00 P.M. The celebration of Paul’s life encourages people to dress in Hawaiian shirts. In lieu of flowers the family asks to consider a donation to the Paul Couto Scholarship & Awards Fund. Donations may be made at the visitation or through Venmo- @paulcoutoscholarship