U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer listens to a speaker as friends, family and colleagues gathered Saturday, May 8, at the University of Southern Maine’s Abromson Community Education Center in Portland to celebrate the life of Frank M. Coffin, the former congressman, chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit and South Portland resident, who died in December. More than 500 people, including U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud, First Circuit judges and staff, justices of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court and nearly 50 of Coffin’s former law clerks, attended the event.

Frank M. Coffin’s widow, Ruth, and oldest child, Douglas, hold hands as they listen to a speaker Saturday, May 8, at USM’s Abromson Community Education Center where hundreds of friends, family and former colleagues, including U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, came together to celebrate the life of the former congressman and chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. Judge Coffin died in December at 90.

Daniel Wathen, former chief justice of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, was the first speaker on Saturday, May 8, during the celebration of the life of Frank M. Coffin, the former congressman and chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.

Two of the Coffin children, Meredith Coffin, left, and Susan Coffin Babb, spoke of their family life during the May 8 celebration of their father’s life.

The six grandchildren of Frank M. Coffin share anecdotes of growing up with the judge during the May 8 celebration of his life at USM’s Abromson Community Education Center.

Federal judges gather around the portrait of their late colleague, Frank M. Coffin, on May 8 at USM’s Abromson Community Education Center.