Howard Aldridge Coffin II

Howard Coffin was “larger than life” in every way. He embraced the world with humor, affection, and appetite. The world returned the favor. He was born on August 1, 1939 in Detroit, Michigan and passed away on June 22, 2026 in Falmouth, Maine.

Howard navigated the world with passion. He loved Maine, Chebeague Island, his family, his many friends, wonderful food, fishing, cooking, photographing people he loved, great writing, correct grammar, the Philadelphia Eagles, his dogs, great movies, great acting, and telling tales.

Born in 1939, Howard was one of 5 siblings, including his twin brother, Tris Coffin, a second set of twin brothers, and a sister. His parents, Winifred DeForest Coffin and Dean Fiske Coffin, raised their family in Birmingham, Michigan and later in Hudson, Ohio. Howard graduated from Western Reserve Academy in 1957. He attended Brown University, and in 1966 graduated from Oakland University with a B.A. He played, and loved, football at both Western Reserve and Brown.

Howard was an M.P. in the US Army. He was the Editor of the Philadelphia Inquirer Sunday Magazine , and followed that with a second career as a political media consultant. In 1964, he married Patricia (Patsy) Hunt. He later married Patricia (Pat) Hatler in 1989.

Howard is survived by his four children, Dean Fiske Coffin, Sydney Hunt Coffin, Sloan Hatler Danforth Coffin, Laurie Hatler McConn Coffin, his wife Patricia Ruth Hatler, two wonderful grandchildren, four adult nieces and nephews and their children, and his mother-in-law Laurie Danforth Hatler. The Coffin family is forever grateful to Amy Newberg for her extraordinary, loving, and patient care of Howard during the last decade of his life.

A Celebration of Life will be scheduled on Chebeague Island at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to The Recompense Fund, a 501(c)(3) dedicated to supporting non-profit organizations on Chebeague Island. To make a donation please visit www.recompensefund.com/donate