Alert “06880” reader Gil Ghitelman writes:
Mario Sa Couto was born in Lisbon, and served as an officer in the Portuguese navy.
His love of the water made Westport a welcoming spot when he worked as a Xerox executive for 35 years.
He and his wife Teresa raised 2 girls and a boy (all Staples grads).
Mario Sa Couto
Mario thrived at his passions: duplicate bridge and boating. He shared both pleasures with his Y’s Men brethren.
He initiated the duplicate game there. Seventeen years later, the weekly game is as popular as ever.
Corralling 20 curmudgeons, setting up the games, scoring and occasionally serving as arbitrator are a walk in the park for Mario.
Pre-pandemic, he invited fellow Y’s men for a weekly boating experience each summer. We’re not sure he ever shared his harrowing boating nightmare. During his Xerox assignment in Brazil, a boat he was on sank in the middle of the night on the Amazon River.
He is most proud of the dozen years he spent as as a terminal patient volunteer with Masonicare. When he was honored for his efforts, it was noted that he spent so much time with the patients some of the staff assumed he was family.
Mario Sa Couto may be considered an Unsung Hero. But those of us who know him are quick to drop the “unsung” part. Our town is most fortunate to have this good guy in our midst.
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Mario’s outstanding leadership abilities have been a major factor in the success of the Y’s Men and the Westport Sunrise Rotary Club in serving the Westport community. For many years Mario was one of the top Y’s Men tennis players. His basic tennis skills and strong competitive spirit made him a player everyone wanted as a team mate. He has always been the ultimate gentleman, whether it be playing tennis or bridge. I am most blessed to call Mario one of my best friends.
As one of the members of the Y’s men tennis group, I have played with Mario on many occasions. I didn’t know all these things about him and glad to have learned them. He is a great tennis partner and competitor. So happy to have made his acquaintance through this program.Congratulations on all your accomplishments.