Carl Miguel Soares

Carl Miguel Soares, 58, of Nashua, New Hampshire, passed away unexpectedly on January 12, 2026. He was born on October 27, 1967, in Dorchester Massachusetts to Antonio and Muriel (Hinds) Soares.
Carl was raised in Nashua and graduated from Nashua High School, Class of 1986, and was a dedicated athlete in his youth and beyond. An accomplished runner, he broke numerous cross-country records during his high school and college years at Keene State and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in graphic design with a minor in Journalism. Carl enjoyed a long and successful career in production and marketing. He worked as a Production Manager at The Christian Science Monitor and Oxfam America, and held roles in publications and, most recently, in marketing & sales at FII Marketing. Known lovingly as “Mr. Clean,” Carl was annoyingly organized and loved to clean a little too much. He had a deep love for animals, especially his own pets, bringing home dogs, cats, even raccoons in his teen years that needed a place to crash.

Carl shared his life with his beloved significant other Kelly Courounis. They have been together for 25 years through good times and tough times, living in Boston their first few years then moving back to Nashua to raise their family. Carl and Kelly shared a strong belief in family and faith, a love of music, sports, and travel, and together built a life filled with love and laughter. Carl and Kelly went to the same high school, graduating a year apart, but never crossing paths. Years later, the two saw each other at Martha’s in Nashua. Recognizing him, Kelly built up the nerve to go up to him; “Were you the guy in high school with bleached blonde hair?” she asked. Not long after their first introduction, the two were inseparable. Even when they both were busy with the responsibilities of young adulthood, they were always on the other’s mind. Carl and Kelly’s greatest gift to each other was their children, something they so truly dreamt of.

Music was always a vital part of Carl’s life–there was rarely a quiet moment in his home. With a CD collection of hundreds, his likes were vast; from 80’s hair metal, his two favorite bands KISS and Extreme, German and Finnish goth rock, to the mellow voice of Karen Carpenter. Music to him was healing and was truly one of his saviors throughout his life. Carl was part of two bands in his younger years, one named Hella Skyes, and the other named Spifed Life, where their hair was as big as their love of sound. Carl was also a beautiful artist, with his doodles on napkins resembling something of Picasso. He was all around blessed with a creative heart and soul, which he wholeheartedly passed on to his two beautiful children, the loves of his life, Evan and Autumn.



Evan was Carl and Kelly’s first born, and he was a true miracle after Kelly underwent a traumatic pregnancy. He was a beautiful baby boy with golden curls and green eyes. Carl cherished him in every way, and seeing resemblances of himself in his son’s face was one of his greatest accomplishments. Evan, like his father, was gifted with the creative gene and a true talent for the arts. He played main roles in musicals, solos in select Chorus, and loved to sing. Carl was there every step of the way, front and center cheering on his boy. Evan was an incredible athlete and football player, from the second he stepped on the field in youth football through high school. Watching his son grow to love and flourish in football could not have made Carl happier. Over the years, Evan was selected to play football on elite teams all over the country, and guess who was beside him. Traveling to various parts of the U.S. and watching Evan play were some of the best times of Carl’s life, and ones he often reminisced on. Carl was immensely proud of everything Evan was and is and will certainly still be with him on the rest of his journeys in life. Evan will miss his Dad immensely and will carry with him all the life lessons learned. 



Autumn was Carl’s little girl, his “Bubee” and his best friend. As a baby, she kept Carl and Kelly on their toes, climbing out of every crib and highchair, no matter how high or strapped in. Autumn did not jam out to Elmo or Teletubbies; she would bounce up and down in her diapers when Carl would blast his Extreme or Warrant. No surprise, Autumn also loved to sing and act. She earned many lead roles in plays, and every chance to use her voice, she took. Carl was amazed by her talent and fearless pursuit of life, and more than anything in this world, he loved to hear her sing. Autumn and Carl bonded over many things; their love of music, thrifting, film, and just hitting the road and seeing where they ended up. Their free time was spent going from antique stores to “holes in the walls,” buying oddities and trinkets to add to their already extensive collection. They would pile in the car with Kelly and their dogs and just drive, ending up in Vermont or way up North in the sticks. Autumn and Carl were a true and pure example of a father-daughter bond. Their relationship was filled with jokes, bickering, laughing, and most importantly; a whole lotta love. Carl was and is so proud of the young lady Autumn is growing into; she is opinionated, strong, compassionate, and loving, just like her father. She will miss her best friend for the rest of her life, but Autumn is sure she will see him again.

Carl had a special bond with his parents, who he always felt were his guardian angels and salvation. But he held his mother, Muriel, near and dear to his heart. Carl had a rough start to his life, struggling with developmental delays. Muriel would strap his feet to hers and walk him up and down their long driveway at home in Somerville, Massachusetts. This became their normal routine, until Carl finally was able to walk on his own. Muriel nurtured and loved him, and for that, Carl was changed for the better. After her passing in 2012, Carl was never the same and has missed her dearly since. His family takes solace in the fact that now, they are reunited and at peace together.

Family was Carl’s whole life. He cherished every moment spent with loved ones, whether it was home or away. He came to enjoy the beauty of the Lakes Region and the White Mountains, seeing it through the eyes of his children on their many vacations and excursions. He loved trips to the beach; particularly York Beach, Maine, which was his favorite place on Earth. He spent his summers as a child going every year, and continued that tradition with his own children, who grew to love York as much as him. Carl was fortunate to travel and experience many places; San Francisco, Arizona, England, Ethiopia, and more. Carl’s father Antonio was born on the island of Sao Miguel, Azores in Portugal, so Carl was able to enjoy and experience the culture and heritage, visiting his extended family and growing to love his roots. Carl will be missed until we all take our last breaths. He was one of a kind, full of warmth, creativity, humor, kindness, and deep, true love for his family. He will be profoundly missed by all who know and love him. “Heaven isn’t too far away. Closer to it every day” ‘Heaven’ by Warrant

From the children of Carl, we would like to shed light on the importance of checking on those you love, no matter how strong they may seem on the outside. It is impossible to know how to help without asking, and it is impossible to get help without seeking it. 



Carl is survived by his father Antonio Soares of Nashua; his significant other Kelly Courounis of Nashua and their two children Evan Robert Soares and Autumn Claire Soares both of Nashua; his brother Robert ‘Rob” Soares of New Ipswich; his mother in law Marlene Courounis of Nashua; his in laws Tony Courounis, Jr. and his wife Cindy, Kerri Lunn and her husband Doug, Tim Courounis and his wife Pam, and Jeni Leonard and her husband Josh; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, his extended family in Portugal; in addition to a multitude of dear friends who became family. Carl was predeceased by his mother Muriel Soares; his maternal grandmother Ann Hinds; and his aunt Bev Hinds, affectionately known as “yaya” and his father-in-law Anthony Courounis Sr.


All are invited to a celebration of Carl’s life which will be held on FRIDAY, January 30th from 4 until 7 PM at ROCHETTE FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES, 21 Kinsley Street, Nashua. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Anctil-Rochette.com. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Nashua Humane Society https://www.hsfn.org/donate-now/ or NAMI https://donate.nami.org/give/197406#!/donation/checkout?c_src=25ZAB1