HARRINGTON – Robert William Coffin, 92, passed away peacefully Feb. 20, 2011, with his family at his side. He was born June 17, 1918, in Harrington, son of the late Edwin Voranus Coffin and Maud (Smith) Coffin.
Robert graduated from Harrington High School in 1936. He then completed a year of post-graduate study at Hebron Academy, Hebron, before entering the University of Maine School of Engineering. During Robert’s college years, he attended Wentworth Institute, Boston, where he was trained as a machinist. While there he was personally recommended by the headmaster for employment at Pratt & Whitney Manufacturing, East Hartford, Conn. During World War II, Robert joined the U.S. Army in 1942 and served as technical sergeant, Base Automotive Battalion 30 13th Company and worked on vehicle and truck engines in France and Belgium until June 1, 1946. Robert returned to Pratt & Whitney, earned his five-year pin and then went back to the University of Maine, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering in 1948. After earning his degree Robert was hired by Torrington Co. and began his career as a professional mechanical engineer working in plant production. In 1960 Torrington Co. sent Robert to Orange, Mass., as plant manager for four years. He continued in plant management in Torrington, and Robert was asked in 1966 to move to Portugal as plant engineer and build a factory in Aboboda, just outside of Lisbon. He was most proud of this accomplishment. After retirement in 1974, Robert returned to Harrington with his wife of 48 years, Eleanor. In Harrington he pursued his many varied interests, including building several houses. He purchased a building “up town,” and started an antique shop. As a longtime member of National Association of Watch
and Clock Collectors and its Maine state affiliate, Robert continued to hone his skill and expertise collecting, maintaining and repairing antique clocks, an interest that he passed on to his son, Charles. Robert was involved in community affairs. Downeast Maine was very important to him. He strongly believed in preserving the history of Washington County and Harrington, in particular, and acted on this through his work with Forrest Hill Cemetery Association, Harrington. Robert was gifted with common sense; he was a pragmatist, a wealth of information, a collector, a teacher, a skilled and trained machinist and a very talented artisan, wood worker and cabinet maker.
Robert is survived by his wife of 48 years, Eleanor Johnson Coffin, whom he married while in Orange, Mass.; their three children, Nancy Coffin Anderson and husband, William, of Camden, Roberta Coffin Montagna of North Haven, Conn., and Charles Coffin and wife, Susan Stone Coffin, of Peach Tree City, Ga.; their grandchildren, Brynn Anderson Mackridge and husband, Michael, of Northport, Toni Anderson and partner, Bruce Hews, of Bangor, Carney Anderson and wife, Kelly Hutchison Anderson, of East Haddam, Conn., Kevin Montagna of North Haven, Conn., Gina Montagna of New Haven, Conn., Wendy Coffin Swayne and husband, Charles Swayne, of Metamora, Ill., and Jeffrey Coffin and fiancee, Mary Beth Piacenti, of Superior, Colo.; their great-grandchildren, Bryndon Page of Windham, Shannon Mackridge of Northport and Cody Hews of Bangor; several nieces and nephews, and many dear friends. Robert was predeceased by his first wife of 19 years, Antoinette St. Pierre Coffin of Van Buren, whom he married in Hartford, Conn., before World War II; and his siblings, Edwina Coffin Arth, Frances Coffin Sullivan, Voranus “VL” Coffin and Roger Coffin.
A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24, at Bragdon-Kelley Funeral Home, Main Street, Milbridge. A spring service will be held at Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church and burial will be at South Main Street Cemetery, Orange, Mass. In lieu of flowers, friends may make a donation to Mary Dow Center for Cancer Care, at Maine Coast Memorial Hospital, 50 Union St., Ellsworth, ME 04605. Condolences may be sent at
www.bragdonkelley.com.