Erwin Adrian Carroll

Erwin Adrian Carroll, 86, earned his angel wings on July 21, 2015. He was born in New York City on October 1, 1928. He and his wife moved to Brevard County in 1958.

Orphaned as an infant, Erwin spent his youth in a variety of foster homes. His happiest childhood memories were during his time at a Boys’ orphanage outside of NYC where he learned farming skills. By God’s hand, he was able to stay in contact with his two precious older sisters. These two ladies offered Erwin a life time of love and support.

Erwin joined the United States Air Force in 1949. The USAF trained him on a cutting edge program, for the time, Radar Systems. While stationed at Lockbourne AFB OH, Erwin met his wife, Barbara, and they were married September 12, 1953. After being honorably discharged from the USAF, Erwin took a job offered by Canaveral Air Station. After President Kennedy announced America would go to the moon, Erwin and Barbara built a house and called Brevard County home.

Together they built a life in Cape Canaveral. Many summer days you could find Erwin with his two daughters playing racquetball, playing ping pong on a table he made, listening to rock n roll music, going to the movies or swimming in the Atlantic Ocean.

Erwin lived for the Space Program as an employee. He was an enduring and faithful participant through the many changes and challenges in the history of space flight. From the early days of manning radar vans for the secret Air force launches in the late 50s, all the way through every manned space program into the 21^st century, he was a fixture. During his almost 30 years with the Shuttle program, he loved traveling and meeting the astronauts. He was known around the flight line as the Big ‘E’. He loved working so much, he did not retire until he was 78 years old.

Erwin was a kind hearted, loving man. He instilled in his daughters to be honest with yourself and others. An early feminist, he encouraged his daughters to pursue college and a career. One fond memory the girls have of their dad was being told, ‘to never lie and never take something that does not belong to you.” Another adage he lived by “Don’t worry about what others think about you, be yourself.”

Erwin is survived by his wife of 61 years, Barbara. His loving sister Irene Pearson, two daughters Patty (Craig) Dykstra and Laura (Tony) DiPasquale, and four grandchildren Jake (Jenny), Ben (Sara) and Tim Dykstra and Izzy DiPasquale. And one great grandson, Mason Dykstra. And many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister, Rita Goldenberg.

Erwin’s wife and daughters would like to express deep gratitude to the owner and employees at Wilson Place in Cocoa Beach. You ladies gave Erwin dignity and respect that he deserved in his last chapter of life. Thank you for your love and support.

At Erwin’s request no service will be held. In Lieu of flowers please make donations to the Wilson Place assisted living facility in Cocoa Beach, FL.