Freetown – Paul Couto, age 54, passed away peacefully with his wife by his side on December 5 ^th after a long courageous battle with Leukemia.  He was the beloved son of John and Maria Luisa (Cabral Vicente) Couto. He was the loving husband of Jessica (Hackett) Couto for 29 years.

Paul graduated from Diaman Regional Vocational Highschool and obtained his master's degree in education at Bridgewater State University and was a teacher at Freetown-Lakeville Middle School for 20 years, he was also a baseball coach in Fall River for five years.  He was a liaison for A.F.S. Intercultural Program and Paul and his family hosted international students from A.F.S. for about six years.  He enjoyed learning about other cultures, mentoring, traveling, his aquariums, watching his favorite team the Chicago Bears, but most of all he loved being a Dad.  Everything he did was for his daughters. He was a good son, wonderful husband, amazing father, brother, dedicated teacher and friend and he will be so deeply missed.

Besides his wife and parents, Paul is survived by his two girls; Sarah and Emily Couto; and nephews Jonathan Couto, Matthew Couto, Eric Hackett Jr, Nathan Hackett, Chace Hackett and nieces Katie Couto and Nicholetta Hackett.  Paul also is the host father to several exchange students: Miko from Hong Kong, Hansa and Nat from Thailand, and Yui from Japan.

Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation for Paul on Saturday, December 17 ^th 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 McGoverns from 8:00-11:00 P.M. The celebration of Paul's life encourages people to dress in Hawaiian shirts.  In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Paul Couto Scholarship & Awards Fund, donations may be made at the visitation or through Venmo - @paulcoutoscholarship , to share a memory or offer a condolence please visit www.rogersfuneral.com