Bertrand Laurent COUTU

COUTU, BERTRAND LAURENT, 87, of Pawtucket and formerly of Central Falls, died on Sunday at the Haven Healthcare Center. He was the husband of the late Lorraine A. (Bail) Coutu. Born in Central Falls, a son of the late Moise and Emilia (Robitaille) Coutu, and where he lived for eighty years and was a communicant of Notre Dame Church, he had resided in Pawtucket for the past seven years. He was a graduate of Mt. St. Charles Academy, attended Bryant College for two years and graduated from the former Kenyon Commercial School. He was a life member of the B.P.O.E. Lodge No. 920.He was a mechanic who owned and operated the former Motor Vehicle Clinic in Central Falls for twenty-five years. He also had been the chief mechanic of the City of Central Falls for nineteen years. He was chief of the Auxiliary Police of Central Falls for nineteen years and then became the Honorary Chief. He was also a member of the Mayor's Citizens Advisory Committee. He also serrved as President of the C. B. Minutemen of the Blackstone Valley for twenty-five years. He retired in January, 1985. For mnay years he played Santa Claus during Christmas Season in Jenks Park.Survivors are one son, Laurent H. Coutu and his wife, Pauline R. of Pawtucket, one granddaughter, Michelle T. A. Coutu and her husband, Jason T. Coutu, and two great-granddaughters, Emily L. and Sarah D. Coutu, all of Pawtucket. He was the brother of the late Elzie H., Arthur E., Hubert A., Donat H. and Walter O. Coutu and of Sister Annette N. Coutu of the White Sisters of Africa and Aldea Bonafe.The funeral will be held Thursday at 8:30 AM from the Darlington Mortuary of L. Heroux & Son, 1042 Newport Avenue, Pawtucket, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 AM in Notre Dame Church, Broad Street, Central Falls. Calling hours will be Wednesday 2-4 and 7-9 PM. Burial will be in Notre Dame Cemetery, Pawtucket. In lieu of flowers, donations to Sister Bea's Ministry to the Elderly, Sick, Shut-Ins, 1030 Dexter St., Central Falls, R.I., 02863, would be appreciated.Published in The Providence Journal on 8/2/2005.