He was born May 31, 1924, in New Bedford, Massachusetts, a son of Manuel and Mary (Arruda) Coito. He graduated from New Bedford High School and the Kinyon- Campbell Business School in New Bedford.
Moving to this area in 1945, he married Pauline Mae Felker on June 9, 1945, in Friendship. They celebrated over 62 years together.
His life was devoted to his family. A dedicated husband, father and grandfather, he was lovingly called “Gramp” or “Grampie.”
His many nieces and nephews called him “Uncle Walter” or “Ti Walter.” At family gatherings, he could always be found playing with the children.
Employed for 41 years as a quality control supervisor by Maremont/Saco Defense, Walter retired in 1986.
A devoted member of the Cornerstone Methodist Church in Saco, he sung in the choir for many years.
He was also a very proud member of the Masonic Lodge of Saco, Council chapter Consistory, Scottish Rite, Valley of Portland.
Walter enjoyed participating in a bowling league until he was 82. He liked to play cribbage, and he was an avid Red Sox fan.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Pauline Coito, in 2007; sisters Delinda Coito, Mary Medeiros and Loretta Glazier; and brothers William and Manuel Coito.
Walter is survived by: two sons, Michael Coito and his wife Wendy of Saco, and Matthew Coito and his wife Sue of Arundel; one daughter, Angela Catalini and her husband Mark of Pepperell, Massachusetts; five grandchildren, Derek Coito, Melissa Coito, Christopher Catalini, Julia Catalini and Sarah Marie Heath; three great-grandchildren; one sister, Geraldine Correia of New Bedford, Massachusetts; and many nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours will be 4-7 p.m. Monday, April 18, at Hope Memorial Chapel, 480 Elm St., Biddeford. A funeral service will be held at Cornerstone Methodist Church in Saco at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 19. Burial will be in Laurel Hill Cemetery in Saco following the ceremony. Arrangements are by Hope Memorial Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to: Cornerstone United Methodist Church/ Missions and Ministries, 20 Jenkins Road, Saco, ME 04072. To share condolences online, please visit HopeMemorial.com.
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