Jim Hakala

James (Jim) Robert Hakala, 57, born in Brooklyn, NY to his maternal mother Josephanie Hakala and lived some of his childhood in Perthamboy, NJ, he then came to Eau Gallie/Melbourne, FL when he was 15 in 1973 with his foster parents Rita Rondeau and Vincent P. Masi. Jim passed away battling with CHF-congestive heart failure since November 2014 on Easter Sunday morning, March 27, 2016. He is survived by his son Anthony James Hakala, 27, born in Fayetteville, TN, now resides in Eau Gallie/Melbourne, and his loving and devoted ex wife of 20 years Patricia Anastasia Bayne, 53, a native of Eau Gallie/Melbourne and Jim's former mother in law was loved as his own mother, Gladys “Jean” Koutny, 85, born in Ft. Atkinson, Iowa, has been a Eau Gallie/Melbourne resident since 1958 Jim spent his high school years playing football at Eau Gallie High School and ROTC and planned to join the military. After graduation he became a licensed professional plumber for all of his career. Jim and Patti married in 1984 and moved to Fayetteville, TN in 1985. Jim and his good friend Mike Calhoun were partners with Valley Pluming in TN. In 1988 their son Anthony was born but returned back to FL in 1991 to raise him near family. In January 2002 Jim moved to Mesa, AZ were he planned to explore the West and eventually retire. Later that year Jim came back to EauGallie/Melbourne to recover from the loss of his right leg due to finding out he was a diabetic. A few years later Jim moved to Cocoa were he resided in a neighbor hood with very good and caring friends for many years. He spent his time at the “Gator Nationals” drag race's and was a lifetime fan of the Dallas Cowboys football team. He also loved spending time in Gainsville, FL with longtime friends at their property. In late 2014 Jim's diabetes took his left leg and the development of CHF he was in and out of the hospitals and rehabilitation facilities. It became to be too much for his heart and he passed. Jim was loved very much by his family and friends and he will be truly missed. We will be have a “Celebration of Jim's life” BBQ reception at his house after the service. Directions will be at the service. Jim's funeral service will be held at Atlantic Mortuary & Cremation Services, 117 Barton Avenue, Rockledge, FL 32955 from Noon to 2 pm on Saturday, April 9, 2016.