Douglas Tikkanen of East Hampton died February 7 at Southampton Hospital. He was 70.
Mr. Tikkanen was born in Utica on June 21, 1943. He graduated from New Milford High School in New Jersey, where he was a member of the football team and band. He attended Northeast Missouri Teachers College, now known as Truman State University. He also attended radio electronics school and earned his first class FCC certificate.
For 26 years, he worked for Grumman in Calverton as a telemetry engineer in data systems, and, after retirement, for the Town of East Hampton’s transportation department.
He married Deanna King, who survives him, on August 1, 1964.
He was a member of the Springs Community Church, the Springs Fire Department and the Springs Fire Department Benevolent Association.
Among Mr. Tikkanen’s hobbies were fishing and sailing. He was first mate on the Aliento with George Wilson when it sailed from East Hampton to Maine and he played golf on the Grumman Golf League. He enjoyed camping and put his love of home remodeling to good use after inheriting a home in the historic district of Southold; he was thrilled to restore the home to its original grandeur.
A proud American, he was also an avid fan of the New York Mets and New York Giants.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Tikkanen is survived by two sons, David W. Tikkanen of California and Keith A. Tikkanen of Panama; four grandchildren, Shelby and Erin Tikkanen of California, Tyler and Katie Tikkanen of Montauk and Panama, and Aimar Aneth Tikkanen of Panama; and a great-grandson, Pasquale Zaccaglini of California. He is also survived by a sister, Bev Wiggins of Sag Harbor.
He was predeceased by his parents, Walter Tikkanen and Dorothy (Castle) Tikkanen.
A funeral service was held at the Springs Community Church on February 11, followed by burial at Green River Cemetery. Arrangements were under the direction of the Yardley and Pino Funeral Home in East Hampton.
on Feb 19, 2014