Edson “Ed” Hackett, 83, passed away on September 13, 2026.Born in Burlington, Vermont, to Edson George and Marion (Perkins) Hackett, Ed grew up in Woodstock, Montpelier, and Burlington with his brother, Bill.

Ed graduated from Burlington High School and went on to attend Champlain College and the University of Vermont, thoughtfully interspersing his studies with winters on the slopes at Stowe. At UVM, he was a member of the Delta Psi fraternity, where he formed lasting friendships.

After college, Ed worked for approximately four years in New York City at International Paper. He returned to Vermont as quickly as possible and remained a lifelong, proud Vermonter. For more than 20 years, he worked as a salesman for Camfour, traveling throughout New England and meeting with small business owners and sporting goods retailers. He enjoyed the people he met along the way and built many lasting relationships while supplying stores throughout New England with firearms and ammunition. Later in his career, he branched out into carpet and fabric sales.

Skiing was one of Ed’s lifelong passions. He served on the Stowe Ski Patrol for 25 years and led the Volunteer Ski Patrol at Mt. Mansfield. He proudly logged more than 100 days on the snow annually for the last three decades. His love of skiing and fun left a lasting mark on Mt. Mansfield, where a trail, Hackett’s Highway, bears his name.

Ed loved the camaraderie and social life that came with skiing. He was a regular at the Den, a bar at the base of the mountain, where he enjoyed gathering with friends after a day of skiing. When COVID closed the usual gathering places, Ed and his friends simply moved their socializing outdoors, gathering in the parking lots at the base of the mountain. Fun and friendship were important parts of his life. 

Summers were spent on Lake Champlain, where Ed loved sailing and cruising. He collected and restored antique boats and earned numerous awards at antique boat shows. He was also an avid reader with a deep appreciation for U.S. and local history, especially the stories that shaped the places he loved.

Ed believed in staying informed and engaged with the world around him. A lifelong public radio listener, he kept up with current events and was always ready for a lively conversation or friendly debate with family and friends.

Ed’s spirit and sense of humor earned him many cherished friends throughout his life, and he will be deeply missed.

Ed was predeceased by his parents, his brother, and his wife, Lois. He is survived by his three children from his first marriage: his son Brad and his wife, Bridget, and their two children, Lucy and Liam; his son Parker and his wife, Karen, and their two children, Avery and Jasper; and his daughter Anna and her husband, Anders, and their two children, Lars and Parker. 

Celebration of Life

A celebration of Ed’s life will be held on October 10, 2026, at 37 Hackett’s Way, St. Albans, VT from 1:00-4:00 PM. Please RSVP by text (preferred) or phone to 802-373-5097.