Leo F. Coutu

Leo Francis Coutu, Jr., 78, of Warwick, passed away on Sunday, November 9 at home. He is survived by his brother Peter Coutu of North Providence and sister Valerie (Coutu) Brierly of Warwick, nephews Charles St. Martin of Coventry and Colin Coutu, Jr. of Dresher, Pa., nieces Kelly Coutu of Smithfield and Jamie Coutu of North Providence, and numerous grand nephews and grandnieces. He was the brother of the late Colin Coutu, Sr. and son of the late Helen (Pettigrew) and Leo Coutu, Sr.

Known to nearly everybody as “Uncle Fran,” Leo treasured his family. Although he never married or had children of his own, he treated all his nieces and nephews (and their children) as his own, never forgetting a birthday, graduation or other major event and always being there for family gatherings and reunions. Along with his many cousins and other extended family members, he enjoyed participating in the Apponaug Old Timers Club’s annual dinner.

Leo was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving as an Sp4 in Washington, D.C. during the Vietnam War. He was employed for many years at the former Father and Sons Restaurant in Apponaug, at Sears in Warwick, and worked for himself in other capacities including house cleaning and handyman services.

Leo loved swimming and could often be found doing laps off City Park Beach in Buttonwoods Cove in Warwick. He was a big fan of Boston sports teams, especially the New England Patriots and Boston Red Sox.

Leo lived a simple life, forgoing modern technologies and spending his time listening to his massive record/tape/CD/8-track collection (especially blues, jazz, folk and rock), stargazing with one of his many telescopes, and immersing himself in the personal study of philosophy, literature, poetry, math, science, geography, current events and writing. His prose covered volumes of notebooks, scrap pieces of paper, and the margins of hundreds of books in his home.

His Funeral Service with Military Honors will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at 11:00AM at the URQUHART-MURPHY FUNERAL HOME, 800 Greenwich Avenue, Warwick. Visitation will be held prior from 10:00AM-11:00AM. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to the Literacy Volunteers of Kent County, care of Coventry Public Library, 1672 Flat River Rd., Coventry, RI, 02816.

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