Edwin R. Couto, Lt. Col. USAF Retired, 87, of Bedford, died on September 10, 2023.

He was born and raised in Lawrence MA and was the son of the late Fernand and Crisolina (Silva) Couto.

Following his graduation from Lawrence High School, he attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst where he received his bachelor's degree in chemistry and was commissioned into the Air Force through the ROTC program, June 10, 1958.

Ed married the love of his life, Frances Gucciardi on June 22, 1958.

Throughout the years, like many military families, he and family lived in various states and 3 years in Japan.  However, he was deployed unaccompanied, to the Vietnam War.

His final assignment was back home in Massachusetts at Hanscom AF Base. He retired from the Air Force in 1978 and worked many years for a government contractor.

Ed was an avid bowler and participated in 3 leagues a week, even in later years.

Above all, he was blessed with the gift of six children; Diana Anderson, Richard married to Bonnie, Donna Schluckebier married to Thomas, Robert married to Susan, the late Sandra Milkakovich, and Daniel married to Sherry, as well as several grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Visitation for friends and family will be at the Bedford Funeral Home, 167 Great Rd., Bedford, on Wednesday, September 13, from 5:00-7:00 PM.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Michael Church, 90 Concord Rd., Bedford, on Thursday, September 14, at 10:00 AM. For livestream of funeral Mass visit https://my.gather.app/remember/edwin-couto . Followed by interment at Shawsheen Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675, or St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital , 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.