Newark Portuguese community honors former assembly member who died in crash Albert Coutinho, 56, was a pillar of Newark's Portuguese community and a key organizer of the city's Portugal Day Festival. A community in Newark came together Monday night to honor a former New Jersey assembly member who died Sunday after a car crash. Albert Coutinho, 56, was a pillar of Newark's Portuguese community and a key organizer of the city's Portugal Day Festival. "We are the capital of Portuguese immigration. Our history goes back 125 years and these few people on that Mount Rushmore of the Portuguese community, Al was one of them. He was an icon," Councilman Mike Silva said. Coutinho was the next generation in his family that poured love into a city that welcomed them to a new home.Councilman Silva has known Coutinho since middle school. He was a Newark Police Officer when Coutinho told him that he could and should be a bigger voice in the city."And from that moment on, he was by my side. A tremendous void for me and the community and this one will affect this community for a long time," Silva said.The assemblyman was very active in shaping tradition in Newark. Coutinho was forced to resign his seat after pleading guilty to embezzling money from his family's charity. He received probation and was pardoned by Governor Phil Murphy, but he kept his focus on the community."He is everything we embody as hardworking, genuine and loving. The opportunities he gave to the kids in this community were always enough for him to be content with making a name for themselves," Nick Lavrador, with the Portuguese Soccer Club, said."It is with a profound sorrow that Ironbound Soccer Club announces the passing of Alberto Coutinho, our Chairman and Co-Founder. Alberto's leadership, vision, and tireless devotion to our club and community touched countless lives, and shaped Ironbound Soccer Club into what it is today," the Ironbound Soccer Club said.Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo,Tiger Woods released on bail hours after arrest at Florida crash scene on suspicion of DUI