Eneas J. Couture, 91, of Shrewsbury

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Eneas J. CoutureShrewsbury – Eneas J. “Jerry” Couture, 91, longtime Shrewsbury resident, passed away peacefully, following post-operative complications, on Saturday, December 11, 2021 at Rose Monahan Hospice Home, with his family at his side. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 66 years, Joan (Miller) Couture, on December 12, 2020, and their son, David J. Couture, on March 15, 2015.

He leaves his loving daughter Cheryl J. Lonardo and his beloved son-in-law, Frederick J. Lonardo, of Holden; his grandchildren, Nicole Lonardo, of Holden, and Daniel Lonardo and his fiancée Alexandra Gent, of Auburndale; and his nieces and nephews: Jon and Jeannie Couture, Richard and Grace Hebert, Frederick and Christine Hebert, Dianne Hebert, and Paul St. Pierre. Jerry was also predeceased by his siblings: Madeline St. Pierre, Arnold Couture, Shirley Hebert, and infant Kenneth Couture; and their parents, Nazaire and Florence E. (Paradise) Couture.

Jerry was born, raised, and educated in Worcester, as a graduate of South High School, Class of 1948. He attended Wayne State University and General Motors Institute, and graduated from Massachusetts Military Academy as a Cadet Captain. Jerry served in the Massachusetts National Guard for 16 years as a member of HQ Company, Company D, and Service Company, 181st Infantry in Worcester and was Executive Officer of Company B 726th Ordnance BN and Company Commander of Company A 726 Ordnance BN in Natick. He retired as a Captain and Assistant S-3 of the 726th Ordnance BN.

Jerry was a Massachusetts State Women’s ASA Softball Commissioner for five years. He coached and managed Women’s Softball teams and AAU Women’s Basketball. His 1960 basketball team reached the final four and won the consolation championship at the AAU National Tournament in St. Joseph, MO.

Jerry was also employed by The Hebert Candies and managed the Hebert Coach House Candies in Natick until he switched careers and went to Cochituate Motors Chevrolet as Sales Manager, and later became General Manager and Vice President. He left to open Colonial Chrysler Plymouth in Hudson, as Co-Owner and president from 1970 – 1974, returning to Cochituate as VP and General Manager in 1974, and purchasing the dealership from Howard C. Phillips in 1982. Jerry purchased the Framingham Chevrolet agency and re-named it Jerome Chevrolet and served as President and Treasurer until his retirement in 1996. He also served as a Shrewsbury Town Meeting member for two terms and served on the Original Town Cable TV Board for three years.

Jerry was a former President and Director of Automotive Supply, Inc. in Watertown and served as a Director with the Chrysler Dealers Advertising Association, when he was a Chrysler dealer. He also served as a Director of the Chevrolet Dealers Advertising Association for six years. He was a member of the Chevrolet, Boston Zone dealers’ council and a member of the Mass State Auto Dealers Association (MSADA). He was named the Time Magazine New Car Dealer of the Year in 1991.

Jerry was a past member of the Hudson Rotary Club, Wayland Kiwanis Club, Greendale Retired Men’s Club, and Shrewsbury Friends Men’s Club. He was an avid golfer and played with the Senior Men’s Golf League. Enjoying their retirement, Jerry and Joan spent most winters at their homes in Boca Raton, and later, in Palm Bay, FL.

We would like to thank the amazing nurses, staff and PA at Eaton Place Oncology for all of their care and compassion through the years. We would also like to thank Dr. David Shepro, and Leigh Pranckevicius, for always being there for our dad. Additionally, we would like to thank Elaine Cahill and Elizabeth O’Brien, who have become like family to us. Elizabeth, you have helped all of us in so many ways. You are a special person; our parents thought the world of you. Elaine, you gave both of our parents sincere, devoted, loving care. You are an angel on earth. Lastly, we would like to thank Brian Bourassa for your continued presence in our lives, treating our parents as your own.

In lieu of flowers, Jerry’s family requests that donations may be made to the St. Mary’s Church, Capital Campaign, 20 Summer Street, Shrewsbury, MA 01545 (https://stmarysparish.org/weshare).

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with the Couture family from 3:30 – 6:30 PM on Friday, December 17, 2021 at the BRITTON-SHREWSBURY FUNERAL HOME, 648 Main Street, Shrewsbury. His funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 AM on Saturday, December 18, 2021 at St. Mary’s Church, 640 Main Street, Shrewsbury, with burial to follow at Mountain View Cemetery, where he’ll be laid to rest with Joan and David. Masks will kindly be required, per the Town of Shrewsbury.

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