Edward "Ed" Frederick Hakkila was born on June 1, 1939 in Quincy, Massachusetts. He died in Melbourne, Florida surrounded by family on February 1, 2024.

Ed was the younger of two children of Viola Linea (Hyttinen) and Arvi Frederick Hakkila. As a child he loved to dance and swim in the quarry behind his house.

At 16, he met his future wife, Carol Sangeleer, while roller skating. A 1957 graduate of Quincy High School, he enlisted in the United States Navy after graduation.

Ed and Carol renewed dating in 1960 shortly after he was discharged from the US Navy and eloped in June of the same year.

Ed went on to earn his Associate Degree in Engineering from Wentworth Institute in 1963. While he attended Wentworth, Ed and Carol were caretakers of the Nahant Nike Base. He went on to earn his Bachelor of Science from Northeastern University in 1970 as well as completing his Vocational training in electronics simultaneously. Ed was inducted into the Sigma Epsilon Rho Honor Fraternity in 1967. He continued his education by earning his Master of Education from Bridgewater State College in 1977. In 2015, he was awarded an honorary Bachelor in Technology degree from Wentworth Institute of Technology.

In 1963, he started his career in industry at  Hazeltine Corporation, went on to Minneapolis-Honeywell, M. Rosenblatt & Sons, and then Atlantic Research before moving into teaching electronics at Silver Lake Regional High School. In 1980, he went back into industry as a Quality Engineer accepting a position with Harris Corporation and relocating his family to Melbourne, Florida.

Ed was a Uechi-Ryu Karate enthusiast earning his back belt in 1979. He loved camping with his family and especially enjoyed fishing and sailing,  spending many summers on their 28' Coronado sloop, the "Carol II."

A member of the United States Power Squadron, Ed served as Commodore in Brevard County. He was a licensed captain, US Merchant Marine Officer,  for up to 100 gross tons, and held amateur radio and concealed weapons licenses.

Ed enjoyed volunteering over his lifetime especially with his children, coached little league for his son, and grandchildren, but his personal favorite was when he rewired a 1929 schooner for the Alexandria Seaport Foundation (the "Alexandria").

Ed and Carol were absolutely devoted to each other. They enjoyed extensive traveling and cruising as retirees especially to Europe, across the US, and were avid ballroom dancers. He was very spiritual and they regularly attended Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. He adored his family especially his grandchildren creating many special memories with each of them.

Ed was preceded in death by his wife, Carol, of 63 years, parents, and sister Ina. He is survived by his three children, Jeanne Hakkila-Wills (Bruce), William  E. Hakkila, Beth Hambrick (Jeff); nine grandchildren, Jessica Wilson, Alex Wills (Jenner Tiscareno), Marcus Wilson (Katie), Zachrey Hambrick, William M. Hakkila, Aana Hakkila, Bruce Hakkila, Mackenzie Wills, and John Wills; ten great grandchildren, Damon, Marshal, Caroline, and William Habermehl; Charlotte Wilson; Persephone and Maddox Drumm; Wyatt Wills; Niko and Koda Hakkila.