Passing of Founding Member John E. Hassler

Passing of Founding Member JOHN E. HASSLER

St. Leonard, MD - With profound sadness, the St. Leonard Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company announces the passing of John E. Hassler on September 24th, 2026.

John was a Founding Member, Life Member, Past President, and former Deputy Chief of our Company. He was also a Founding Member, Past Chief, and Past President of the Calvert Advanced Life Support Unit. His lifetime of service included his work as a Maryland State Trooper and Flight Paramedic with the Maryland State Police Aviation Command until he retired with honors in 1995. John was also an inductee into the Calvert County and Southern Maryland Volunteer Fire & Rescue Hall of Fame.

Services — Sunday, October 4, 2026
St. Leonard Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company 7

200 Calvert Beach Road
St. Leonard, Maryland 20685

• Visitation: 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

• Funeral service: 1:00–2:30 p.m. including the Firemen’s Prayer.

• Fire department procession: Following the service, from St. Leonard VFD to Chesapeake Highlands Memorial Gardens.

• Graveside service:
Planned for 3:00–3:30 p.m. at Chesapeake Highlands Memorial Gardens, 3270 Broomes Island Road, Port Republic, Maryland.

• Celebration of life:
Following the graveside service at Prince Frederick Volunteer Fire Department.

All fire and EMS apparatus are welcome to participate in the procession. Please contact Chief 7 or President 7 for participation and staging information at Chief@SLVFD.org or President@SLVFD.org

Please keep John’s wife, Wanda, his family, friends, and all who served alongside him in your thoughts and prayers.

Rest easy, John. We’ll take it from here.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donation be made to either St. Leonard Volunteer Fire & Rescue or to the Maryland Flight Paramedics Association.