Fall of this year passed so quickly and we are still in the COVID era. To top things off, we have had computer problems and had to replace our hard drive. For those younger, this would probably not have been a problem, but for us, lots of ‘stuff’ in the controls and formats have also been updated, so we struggled to get this column out this time. To top things off, we have not much to report — so here is our plea for you to send updates to us on your exciting retirement years.
We open with a note of sadness, reporting the passing of Edward Coffin of cancer at 89. In the recent past, we wrote of Ed’s “story” in this column. Ed was born in Freeport, ME, and was a long- time resident of Augusta, ME. Our first introduction to Ed was at Orono, playing pickup basketball in the ‘’pit.’’ He received his degree in civil engineering and started his career with Maine DOT. In 1973, he founded his own firm, Coffin Engineering and Surveying. Upon retirement, Ed dabbled in it, as well as passed it on within the family.
Ed’s lifetime fun consisted of being a small-school basketball writer, coach, and referee. He was a charter member of the Capital Area Recreation Association and the Kennebec Valley Sports Hall of Fame, a two-term member of the Augusta City Council and published author of historical and genealogical topics. As we wrote earlier, Ed’s greatest honor was being the recipient of a special yellow seat with his name on a plaque in the Augusta Civic Center Auditorium. Our condolences go out to Ed’s wife, May, children and stepchildren, and many grandchildren and step-grandchildren.
Alert to any of you whose emails were lost, in our hard drive change noted above. We’d love to have you reach out again. So sorry!
To you: the brevity of this column speaks to the fact that we need to hear from you! If you have put off dropping us a note or email, intending to do so ‘tomorrow,’ please do so soon.
Finally, good news: we received notice from the University of Maine Foundation that scholarships totaling $3,741 were distributed from our Class of ’54 Scholarship Fund to four seniors — in communications, social work, political science, and mechanical engineering technology. A fine legacy on our part! Please consider a tax-deductible contribution to our class fund at any time.