Conrad K. Cyr

Conrad K. Cyr
Senior Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
In office January 31, 1997 – July 28, 2016
Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
In office November 20, 1989 – January 31, 1997
Appointed by	George H. W. Bush
Preceded by	Frank M. Coffin
Succeeded by	Kermit Lipez
Judge of the United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court
In office May 19, 1987 – November 20, 1989
Appointed by	William Rehnquist
Preceded by	William Clark O'Kelley
Succeeded by	Frank Harlan Freedman
Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Maine
In office 1983–1989
Preceded by	Edward Thaxter Gignoux
Succeeded by	Gene Carter
Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Maine
In office September 28, 1981 – November 20, 1989
Appointed by	Ronald Reagan
Preceded by	George J. Mitchell
Succeeded by	D. Brock Hornby
Personal details
Born	(1931-12-09)December 9, 1931 Limestone, Maine, U.S.
Died	July 28, 2016(2016-07-28) (aged 84) Hampton, New Hampshire, U.S.
Education	College of the Holy Cross (BS) 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.

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.

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. 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.

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. He was succeeded by fellow Maine resident Kermit Lipez.

Death

Cyr died on July 28, 2016, at the age of 84. 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". 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.

References

• Conrad K. Cyr at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
• Deller, Jeffery A. (Fall 2016). "Dedication to the Life and Legacy of the Honorable Conrad K. Cyr". American Bankruptcy Law Journal. 90 (4): 501–502.