Michael (Mike) Anthony Joakim, of Rocky Hill, Conn., and West Tisbury, died on July 9 at Saint Francis Hospital in Hartford, Conn., surrounded by his family. The cause was complications from pancreatic cancer. He was 73.

Mike was born on Nov. 16, 1945 in Lisbon, Portugal, the oldest of three children born to George M. L. Joakim of Liege, Belgium, and Marye (Bowden) Joakim of Leamington Spa, England, who were serving in the Belgian diplomatic corps.

He was proud of his international heritage but gave up his European citizenship to become a U.S. citizen while in college.

He had many wonderful memories of the Portuguese fishing village of Costa da Caparica and the Belgian seaside town of Coxyde on the North Sea with his parents and grandparents. After stints in both Portugal and Belgium, the family moved to the States in 1952, continuing his father’s diplomatic service with the Belgian Consulate in Washington, D.C. The Joakims eventually moved to Westport, Conn. where he graduated from Staples High School in 1964.

He continued his education at the University of Connecticut, receiving both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering. He furthered his education throughout his professional career with study at both Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Central Connecticut State University. He was a member of both the Chi Epsilon and Tau Beta Pi engineering honor societies.

Fifty years ago, while an engineering graduate student, he met his future wife, Elizabeth (Betsey) Keenan, a Salve Regina College nursing student, when she became snowbound in Storrs, Conn., during a heavy winter storm in February 1969. They were married following her graduation in 1970.

In June 1969, Mike joined the engineering department of Pratt and Whitney, now a division of United Technologies, and spent his career in various roles wit the company. He retired in July 2013 after 44 years of service.

Mike and Betsey enjoyed many travel adventures with their growing family. As Mike’s fondness for the sea continued, the family first came to Martha’s Vineyard in 1971.

After building their Vineyard homes in West Tisbury during the 1980s, the Joakim family enjoyed years of relaxation and built fond memories on the Island.

Mike spent his retirement years in both Connecticut and Massachusetts, while Betsey continued her nursing career in the Martha’s Vineyard public schools.

He was an avid sports fan, with a particular appreciation for the UConn Huskies basketball team. He also became a fan of Formula One racing, and followed each Grand Prix with rapt attention, as his favorite English cousin’s son, Christian Horner, OBE, is team principal of the Red Bull Racing team.

In addition to his wife of 48 years, he is survived by their four children: Suzanne Marye Polino of Ocean Isle, N.C.; Michael William Joakim of Tewksbury; Christine Ruleau Roth of Wethersfield, Conn, and Matthew Charles Thomas Joakim of Old Wethersfield, Conn., as well as three grandchildren and two step-grandchildren.

He is also survived by his siblings, Christopher Charles Edward Joakim of Davidson, N.C., and T. Richards of East Haven, Conn.; his stepmother, Joan Miano Joakim, of Norwalk, Conn., and his step-siblings, Joseph (J.J.) Miano of Bekescsaba, Hungary, Andrea M. Light of South Norwalk, Conn., and Philip A. Miano of Weston, Conn., as well as numerous extended family throughout Europe.

The Joakim family extends gratitude to numerous doctors, nurses and caregivers for their extraordinary care during the last days of his life, with particular thanks for Martha’s Vineyard nurse Barbara Rush, for her compassion and outstanding coordination of oncology services between Martha’s Vineyard and Connecticut.

Private interment took place at Wethersfield Village Cemetary. A memorial service is being planned for the fall.

For online condolences, please visit Farley-Sullivan Funeral Home website at www.farleysullivan.com.

Memorial contributions can be made to a maternity hospital in Haiti that is supported by Saint Francis Hospital physicians and MATH (Medical Aid To Haiti), through Saint Francis Hospital Foundation, Mission House of Dame Marie (Blue Team), 95 Woodland Street, Hartford, CT, 06105