STEUBEN – Richard E. Coffin died Thursday, Nov. 10, 2005, at his home in Steuben, with his family around him after a long and valiant struggle with cancer. Richard was born March 24, 1929, in Steuben, the son of Olive (Dyer) Coffin and Harland E. Coffin Jr. of Steuben. He graduated from Steuben High School in 1947 and later earned an associates degree in Law Enforcement. At an early age, Richard knew he wanted to follow his family’s tradition and become a fisherman and next to his family, he loved nothing more than being in his boat fishing for lobsters. In 1957, he left lobster fishing to become a marine patrol officer. He was assigned to the Lubec area where he served communities from Cutler to Calais for 22 years enforcing Maine coastal fisheries laws. He also did special investigations work for the Marine Warden Service and over the years, he represented the State of Maine at various sportsmen’s shows throughout the country and at the Montreal World’s Fair. During his time in Lubec, he was a member of the Lubec Lions Club and the Washington Masonic Lodge of Lubec. He was also instrumental in forming the Lubec Athletic Booster’s Club which supported Lubec School sports teams. He was instrumental in establishing an athletic scholarship fund for a deserving Lubec High School graduate. Richard donated much of his free time to the Suffolk University Marine Biology Field Station in Edmonds, where he taught summer classes in boating safety and demonstrated, through hands-on experiences, the need for respecting the marine ecology to Suffolk University marine biology students. After his retirement from the Marine Warden Service, he returned to his home in Steuben and again became a full-time lobster fisherman. He served as a Washington County Deputy Sheriff for several years and on various town committees. Richard also assisted in establishing the Steuben High School Alumni Association and helped to develop a scholarship fund for high school graduates who live in Steuben. Richard enjoyed hunting and fishing and was particularly happy to have had the opportunity to go on four moose hunts with his wife and two very special friends, Henry and Darlene Bernier. Richard was especially proud of being a Shriner. He was a member of Anah Shrine and the Washington County Shrine and enjoyed driving the University of Maine at Machias truck in parades with the Anah Wheelers. He is survived by his mother, Olive Coffin; his wife of 57 years, Iona of Steuben; a daughter, Dr. Lynn Coffin and her husband, Philip Spalding, of Washington, D.C.; his brother, Evandor and wife, Cindy; and sister, Marilyn Grant of Steuben; a very special nephew, Fenton Coffin and his wife, Kim; and sons, Jonathon and Jared of Steuben; a beloved niece, Kim Hooper and her husband, George; and son, Cody of Gouldsboro; and many other nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father, Harland Coffin Jr. He will be remembered by his many friends, especially Henry and Darlene Bernier, Joan Potter and Robert Crabtree and Emory West and Jolene Barnes. Visiting hours will take place 6-8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13, at Bragdon-Kelley-Campbell Funeral Home, Main Street, Milbridge. A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 14, at the funeral home with Charles Kelley officiating. The Washington Lodge No. 37 AF & AM will be conducting a Masonic ceremony. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Milbridge Medical Center, Milbridge, ME 04658 or to the Mary Dow Center for Cancer Care, 50 Union St., Ellsworth, ME 04605.
RICHARD E. COFFIN
