Bangor man who made Coffee Pot sandwiches for decades has died

Francis "Skip" Rist worked at The Coffee Pot on State Street for nearly 60 years. Here's a look back at a story from 2009, when Bill Green visited the Bangor shop.

[DREADNOUGHT]

Never had one, never been there, never heard of the Coffee Pot, but somehow after watching this I feel like I missed out on something special.
RIP Mr Rist.

[jujube]

It’s sad that places like that rarely exist anymore. So many chain restaurants and fast food places. I miss the small mom and pop places like this.

[thewkovacs]

it's nice when local news remembers the people who are actually important to a community and not some dead celeb

[peterpickering]

Im 64 and can remember going there as a kid with my brother and dad .Some memories are forever ....life was so simple then .

[InFltSvc]

This is a beautiful all American story but also sad because it will never be the same. This is a jewel of the American spirit!

[sherryab]

I am watching this from Europe. I had to subscribe immediately.

A news station who would honor a man who ran a shop and retired 14 years ago is a a news station I want to watch! Bravo 👏

And my sincere condolences to everyone in Bangor for your loss. ❤

[jayybird]

Respects from California. Never got to try a “CoffeePot” but have to appreciate a quality sandwich man who prepares a quality sandwich.

[truthsayer-vpgn]

I love mom n pop shops. Rest easy sir. It sounds like you were genuinely loved.

[westwasbest]

Christmas night 2024 and this just showed up in my video feed, what an amazing man, what an amazing sandwich shop and what an icon! How very sad we don't have more places exactly like this one! May you rest in peace SIR ❤

[sarahlynn]

Never heard of this man until today and watching this almost made me feel like I've known him for a a long time. Sad that generation is almost completely gone. Rare to find such places anymore.

[JohnDrummondVA]

What a fine Mainor and American. Glad I paused to watch on this Christmas evening. God bless us, every one.

[KeepRowing]

In an old rustic coffee diner in cold Rhode Island, I learned of this man. May his fellow Mainers* cherish his memory

Original draft edited to reflect true term for the people of Maine, ‘Mainer’. Incorrectly used term, ‘Mainor’ removed. Sincerest thank you to the Mainer that guided the correction

[Debby-pg]

Just look at that face. What a wonderful person. So glad he never changed or tried to go bigger. Nothing will ruin a small business that trying to go big. In my town we had a pizza place that had the best ever. As soon as he bought a bigger building and added more to the menu, he went downhill, sold the business and it finally failed. I can still remember having the best pizza to this day, 50 years later.

[markboulton]

Such a great place to stop for lunch or a quick snack . I was a trucker with a rout that went by there for 10 years . Always better that waiting at a dive through and I have never ran into an angry person there . RIP and TY for the love that you were given to share .

[ErnieTarbox]

I’ve stood in line for one of these sandwiches! A Bangor landmark for sure!

[josephpantolon]

Merry Christmas Skip, you made people smile and say “yum” and that is worth a lot…

[steveb]

My dad had a neighborhood store and he also excelled in making sandwiches. He did this for 27 years, 7 days a week. This reminds me so much of him. White apron and all.

[JasonPutschker-xwuf]

I just stopped to think about all those older people feeling and looking like they were kids again waiting in line for their bagged lunch 😊 just amazing. The older woman just reliving her datng days with her now husband ❤

[travelingman]

Only came across this on Youtube.
I'm a New Yorker!
Thank you, sir!

I will make a Hero, not as great as a Coffee Pot, in your honor!

[kelleebolden]

How wonderful this man and sandwich shop must have been. I've never been to Main, eaten there, or knew of that gentleman, until seeing this but I do feel the loss. My condolences to his family, friends and the community.