Tribute to Manuel N. Coutinho

MAPS and the Portuguese-speaking community were deeply saddened by the loss of our long-time friend and volunteer, Manuel N. Coutinho, on August 23, 2002. Mr. Coutinho had been injured in a fall at his summer home on Cape Cod. He was 89 years old and had been a volunteer Citizenship teacher at the MAPS Cambridge office since 1969, when it was still the Cambridge Organization of Portuguese Americans.

Mr. Coutinho, a Portuguese immigrant himself, helped more than 3,500 people from around the world realize their dream of becoming American citizens. He was also involved in many other community activities, as well being dedicated to his family.

Mr. C., as we knew him, stayed with us through all the changes and growth that our agency has experienced. Every Wednesday, rain or shine, he appeared in the office with a smile, a joke and some information to share about the workings of the American government. He coached, cajoled and coaxed his students into preparing themselves for the dreaded citizenship interview, and most of the time, they passed on the first try. If they didn't, he never gave up and would often accompany the students to their interviews so he could give them some last-minute coaching and encouragement.

Today, even after his death, Mr. Coutinho is still giving to the community. MAPS was honored by his family's request that donations be made to our organization in lieu of flowers, and many contributions have already been received in his name. He will never be forgotten by all of us who were privileged to know him and learn from him.

CAMBRIDGE, MA -- October 29, 2002 -- More than 100 community members turned out on October 28 at the Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers' (MAPS') Cambridge office to pay tribute to the late Manuel N. Coutinho, who taught citizenship classes as a MAPS volunteer for more than 30 years. The 89-year-old teacher, a Portuguese immigrant who lived in Swampscott, died in August of complications from a fall near his summer home in Falmouth.

"This evening we are here not to mourn him, but to celebrate his life," said Stephen Pereira, President of the MAPS Board of Directors.

Executive Director Paulo Pinto remembered Coutinho as a truly special man who arrived every Wednesday throughout the year, rain or shine, "with a smile, a joke and some information to share about the inner workings of the American government."

"Mr. C. was a Portuguese immigrant who not only dreamed the American dream, but also volunteered his time to help more than 3,500 immigrants from all over the world realize their own dream of becoming American citizens," said Pinto.

State Rep. and Cambridge City Councillor Tim Toomey, who attended on behalf of the Mayor and City Council, said, "That is an incredible legacy, to be able to say that one individual changed the lives of 3,500 people."

Katia Lemos, MAPS Manager of Education and Family Services, read a statement from former education program coordinator Clia Valada praising Coutinho's for patiently working with Valada's mother and other immigrants to make sure they passed the citizenship exam.

"My mother often said that our family owed a lot to that man," said Valada. "She was eternally grateful for his patience, kindness and his steadfast belief that becoming an American Citizen was not only attainable, but a goal that the community needed to adhere to and respect."

Terezinha Borba Neves, a Brazilian immigrant and a more recent citizenship student, called Coutinho "uma pessoa preparada por Deus para me ajudar"-in English, a Godsend. "He was a true encyclopedia of knowledge," said MAPS Health Services Director Joo Soares.

Coutinho's wife, Frances, his five children and many other family members and friends also attended the tribute, which was followed by a buffet dinner and the MAPS Annual Meeting. His son John and daughter-in-law Brenda spoke briefly, recalling his kindness, generosity, tolerance and consideration for others.

"He would ask us to follow his example," said John Coutinho. "He would ask us to give something back."

To that end, Executive Director Pinto announced that nearly $1,000 donated to MAPS in lieu of flowers in Coutinho's name would be used to establish the Manuel Coutinho Citizenship Fund within the newly established MAPS endowment. "I believe that through this special endowment fund named in his honor, Mr. C., and those who contribute to the Fund, will be forever helping immigrants attain their American Dream," said Pinto. Tax-deductible donations to the fund may be mailed to MAPS at 1046 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA.

The agency also presents a Manuel N. Coutinho Outstanding Volunteer Award to a deserving community member as part of the MAPS Annual Community Awards Banquet. MAPS is a private, nonprofit organization that has provided health and social services to Portuguese speakers since 1970. The agency has offices in Cambridge, Somerville, Allston, Dorchester and Lowell.

Copyright © 2002 Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers, Inc. All rights reserved.