Newark, and specifically the vibrant Ironbound neighborhood, is in mourning following the tragic passing of Alberto “Al” Coutinho. A former New Jersey State Assemblyman, induction-level soccer advocate, and a cornerstone of the Portuguese-American community, Coutinho passed away on March 29, 2026, at the age of 56 following a two-vehicle collision at the intersection of McCarter Highway and South Street.
A Trailblazer in Trenton and the Ironbound
Born in 1969 to community pillars Maria and Bernardino Coutinho, Al carried forward a legacy of leadership with a distinct blend of business acumen and grassroots empathy. An NYU MBA graduate, he managed the iconic Coutinho’s Bakery while advocating for local economic growth.
In 1997, Coutinho made history as the first Portuguese-American elected to the New Jersey General Assembly. During his subsequent tenure (2007–2013), he chaired the Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee. He was known as a bipartisan policy expert, championing:…