Edwin James Niskanen

Edwin James “Ed” Niskanen, 79, a resident of Rancho Mirage, Ca, completed his Earthly journey on April 6, 2026, in the comfort of his home and surrounded by his loving husband and life partner of 31 years, Jay Hooker, after a courageous battle fighting Prostate Cancer.

He was born in Keene, NH Feb. 23, 1947, to the late Waino and Pauline (Orkins) Niskanen. He was a 1965 graduate of Monadnock Regional High School in Swanzey and a 1973 graduate of Franklin Pierce University with a Bachelor of Science degree, Magna Cum Laude in Accounting and Finance. In 1992 Ed received his 1,000 hour certification in Massage Therapy from accredited New Hampshire Institute of Therapeutic Arts in Nashua.

Ed was a U.S. Air Force veteran serving during the Vietnam War and was stationed on Okinawa, and at McGuire AFB, New Jersey prior to his honorable discharge in 1968 with the rank of Sergeant.

After his military discharge Ed was employed by the Ashuelot National Bank as a Teller, and later as an Accountant for New Hampshire Ball Bearings and for Yankee Magazine prior to relocating to California. One of Ed’s more fun and memorable positions was Town Clerk for his hometown of Troy in the mid 1970’s.

Moving to San Francisco in 1993 Ed met his partner Jay Hooker in July, 1995. They became Domestic Partners on March 25, 1996 in San Francisco’s first mass Domestic Partners ceremony officiated by the Honorable Mayor Willie Brown. In March of 2001 they renewed their vows in Putney, Vermont’s Civil Union ceremony at the Putney Inn where his mother “Polly” who was really the true center of attention, captivated the guests with her wit and humor. Also in attendance was his daughter Heather, cousin Lois and close friends. On October 21, 2008, in Indio, Ca. Ed and Jay became legally married, and federally recognized on June 26, 2015 by the Supreme Court (Obergefell v. Hodges.)

In 1993 Ed became the Administrative Director for Immune Enhancement Project in San Francisco where he developed the city’s first Massage Clinic serving HIV/AIDS clients. In 1997 he was recruited and employed to develop and direct a 720 hour Massage curriculum for a local college in San Francisco. He later developed a Massage curriculum for their San Jose campus. In 1999 he accepted an invitation to become Chief Financial Officer for Ex’pression College for Digital Arts.

His dream job however was working side by side with his husband Jay

Survivors include his husband and best friend of 31 years, Justo (Jay) Hooker of San Francisco, Ca, and formerly of Nicaragua; two daughters, Liisa Biltcliffe.and her partner, Bob, of Leominster, Ma and Heather Melisi of Staten Island, NY; five grandchildren, Aaron Biltcliffe and his partner, Natalie Ybarra, Chelsea (Biltcliffe)(Martin) Montag (estranged), and her wife Kaitlin Montag, Giovanna Melisi, Lorenzo Melisi, Gianni Melisi and great-grandaughter Tailyah Biltcliffe. Ed is survived by his former wife and best friend, and mother of his children, Linda (Nattila) Mikkola of Ashby, Ma. Ed is predeceased by his parents Waino and Pauline, and his beloved son in law Neil A. Melisi.