Former probate judge remembered as a gentle man of strong principles
ELLSWORTH Colleagues and friends of former Hancock County probate judge and attorney Jim Patterson are remembering him as a gentle, patient man.
Patterson died Jan. 16 at age 72 after battling pulmonary fibrosis for 11 years.
“Judge Patterson was a private, unique, smart, thorough and fair judge,” said former Hancock County Register of Probate Bonnie Cousins. Cousins worked with Patterson for 11 years.
Cousins said during adoption cases, the judge always let children come up to the bench and pound his gavel and sit in his chair. He would also take a photo with them.