Conrad K. Cyr Explained

Conrad K. Cyr
Office:Senior Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
Term Start:January 31, 1997
Term End:July 28, 2016
Office1:Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
Term Start1:November 20, 1989
Term End1:January 31, 1997
Appointer1:George H. W. Bush
Predecessor1:Frank M. Coffin
Successor1:Kermit Lipez
Office2:Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Maine
Term Start2:1983
Term End2:1989
Predecessor2:Edward Thaxter Gignoux
Successor2:Gene Carter
Office3:Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Maine
Term Start3:September 28, 1981
Term End3:November 20, 1989
Appointer3:Ronald Reagan
Predecessor3:George J. Mitchell
Successor3:D. Brock Hornby
Birth Date:9 December 1931
Birth Place:Limestone, Maine, U.S.
Death Place:Hampton, New Hampshire, U.S.
Education:
Yale University (LLB)

Conrad Keefe Cyr (December 9, 1931 – July 28, 2016) was an American jurist who served as a United States circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit from 1989 until his death. He was previously a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Maine.[1] [2]

Early life and education

Cyr was born in Limestone, Maine. He attended Limestone High School, graduating in 1949, then matriculated at the College of the Holy Cross. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Holy Cross in 1953 and a Bachelor of Laws from Yale Law School in 1956.

Cyr was in private practice of law in Limestone from 1956 to 1959, and in Bangor, Maine, from 1961 to 1962, serving in the interim as an Assistant United States Attorney in Bangor. He was a referee in bankruptcy for the District of Maine from 1961 to 1973.[3]

Federal judicial service

District court service

Cyr served as a federal bankruptcy judge from 1973 to 1981, and was Chief Judge of the Bankruptcy Appellate Panel for the First Circuit from 1980 to 1981. On August 11, 1981, President Ronald Reagan nominated Cyr to the United States District Court for the District of Maine vacated by George J. Mitchell, who had resigned following his appointment as a United States Senator. Cyr was unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate on September 25, 1981.[4] He received his commission on September 28, 1981. Cyr served as Chief Judge of that District from 1983 to 1989. His service was terminated on November 20, 1989, due to his elevation to the court of appeals.[3]

Appeals court service

On August 4, 1989, President George H. W. Bush nominated Cyr to serve on the First Circuit, in the seat vacated when Frank M. Coffin assumed senior status. Cyr was confirmed by the Senate on October 24, 1989 and received his commission on November 20, 1989. Cyr assumed senior status on January 31, 1997 and continued to hear cases for several years afterwards.[3] He was succeeded by fellow Maine resident Kermit Lipez.

Death

Cyr died on July 28, 2016, at the age of 84.[5] [3] He was remembered by Chief Judge Jeffrey R. Howard as "a wonderful friend. His dedication to justice and to his country has left an indelible mark on the legal system and on this nation".[6] He is interred in Saint Louis Cemetery in his hometown of Limestone, Maine, alongside his parents, Louis and Kathleen, and sister, Marilyn, who preceded him in death by ten months.[7] [8] [9]

References

Notes and References

  1. Book: Judges of the United States. 1983-01-01. Published under the auspice of the Bicentennial Committee of the Judicial Conference of the U.S.. en.
  2. Web site: November 2016 . Resolution of the National Bankruptcy Conference . August 31, 2023 . National Bankruptcy Conference.
  3. Web site: Cyr, Conrad Keefe - Federal Judicial Center. www.fjc.gov.
  4. Web site: 2008 . PN561 — Conrad K. Cyr — The Judiciary . February 16, 2024 . Congress.gov.
  5. Web site: Conrad Cyr, former federal judge from Maine, dies at 84. Harrison. Judy. July 31, 2016. The Bangor Daily News. 2016-07-31.
  6. Web site: 2016-08-01 . 1st Circuit's Cyr dies at 84 . 2024-02-16 . Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly . en-US.
  7. https://brookingssmith.com/book-of-memories/2662822/cyr-conrad/obituary.php Conrad Cyr Obituary
  8. https://bangordailynews.com/2015/05/10/obituaries/marilyn-a-cyr/ Marilyn A. Cyr
  9. https://www.pressherald.com/2016/07/31/conrad-k-cyr-former-federal-judge-in-maine-dies-at-84/ "Conrad K. Cyr, former federal judge in Maine, dies at 84"