Peter Coffin, 39, of Harpswell, known to his friends as Pete, lost his battle with addiction on March 9th.

Pete was a cherished, devoted father with a charismatic and larger-than-life personality. His life revolved around his son, PJ— from playing in the snow for hours, to engaging in Nerf battles and favorite video games, to helping PJ earn his first dollars as a lobsterman, to volunteering to coach his basketball team, to introducing him to soccer, swimming, ice skating, biking, snowboarding, and sledding.

Pete was born on June 29, 1978, in Brunswick. He attended Mt. Ararat High School, where he played varsity soccer and graduated with honors. With the encouragement of his father, he wrestled in high school, coming in as a State runner up. Even as its smallest member, he was named team captain due to his enthusiasm and spirit of sportsmanship.

He graduated from Connecticut College in 2001 as part of a group of friends with whom he remained close. While there, his adventurous spirit inspired him to spend a semester abroad in Scotland, where he studied at St. Andrew’s. His bold approach to life took him to Thailand, where he taught English to young children. It was there that he met his wife, Phatchadaporn “Tukta” Munpho, PJ’s mother. He helped Tukta and PJ acclimate to life in the United States when they moved back to Maine.

Over the years, Pete worked as a salesman, using his natural charm and winning personality on behalf of the companies he represented. In spite of his struggle with addiction, he continued to put his family first by choosing to attend rehabilitation and providing for them by lobstering—first alongside his father and then on his own, with help in the boat from Tukta and PJ.

Pete is survived by PJ and Tukta; his parents, William and Helene Coffin; his sister, Kerry McQuaid; his brother in-law, Billy McQuaid; his nephew, Brady McQuaid; his aunt, Maureen Hodge; his grandmother, Barbara Coffin; his aunt, Carolyn Coffin; and his uncle, James “Pete” Coffin. He is predeceased by his maternal grandparents, Jim and Mary Doyle; his paternal grandfather, Jim Coffin; and his uncle, Gerry Hodge.

He is remembered by his dearest friends Carl “Bunky” Johnson, Matt Gaines, Matt Ayers, Dan Leptuck, and Colin Vogelgesang. He and his family will always be grateful to his treatment specialists, Tammy Waterman and Lynn Avigo.

His family will always remember him as a sensitive soul whose heart overflowed with love.

A Celebration of Life will be held on March 17th at 1 p.m. at Brackett Funeral Home (29 Federal St. in Brunswick). It will be followed by a reception from 2- 4 p.m. at the Daniel (10 Water St. in Brunswick). In lieu of flowers, those wishing to contribute to a fund for “Apeewat Coffin (PJ)” are invited to donate in person at the Camden National Bank at 6 Gurnet Road (Cook’s Corner) in Brunswick. Checks may also be made payable to Apeewat Coffin and sent in care of the Center for Teaching and Learning, 119 Cross Point Rd., Edgecomb, Maine 04556.