Edward Mackie Sr.

Edward Gordon Mackie, Sr (Pop Pop), 75, passed away peacefully at home on October 12, 2022. Edward was born on March 4, 1947 in Brooklyn, NY to Edward and Kathleen Mackie. He spent the beginning of his life in Brooklyn, which is where, in his teen years, met his future wife, Linda Harvey. An only child, Ed lost his father at a young age and eventually moved to Florida with his mother. While in Florida, he met his best friend, Joseph DiStasi, who was like a brother to him. He would still go back to Brooklyn every summer where the Harvey family took him in as one of theirs, even before he married Linda.

After graduating high school in Miami, Ed returned to Brooklyn, married Linda and eventually made their home in Miami, Florida. Ed became a champion Jai Alai player and continued to play for many years, mostly with his best friend Joe. Ed was a great family man, so it was no surprise when he and Linda started their family together, having 3 children: Edward Jr. (Jenny), Glenn (Theresa), and Barbara (Brian). In 1985, they moved to Cooper City, Florida.

After his Jai Alai career, Ed began working at Biscayne Dog Track, working his way to mutuels manager until its closing. From there, Ed spent the majority of his working career in the horse racing industry as mutuels director between Calder Race Course, Hialeah Park Race Track and Gulfstream Park. Ed was a hard worker and loved what he did. He made many friends over the years and was respected by his employees.

Ed’s greatest joy in life was being with his wife of 54 years, his 3 children and 6 grandchildren: Madison (15) and Ryan (12) (Ed and Jenny), Peyton (13) and Travis (11) (Glenn and Theresa), and Connor (12) and Jaxson (8) (Barbara and Brian). He would do anything for his grandchildren and enjoyed every moment with his “spasmatic nerd skulls”.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents, his sister-in-law Alice Harvey (Linda’s twin), brother-in-law Robert Harvey, and his best friend Joe. Ed is survived by his wife, 3 children and their spouses, 6 grandchildren, and the Harvey Family.