Edward E. Hassler, Sr.

Edward E. Hassler, Sr. age 92 formerly of Elsinboro passed away November 18, 2025 at the New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home in Vineland.  

Born in Salem in 1933 to the late Joseph and Mary (Volk) Hassler, he was predeceased by his wife of 41 years Sondra (Bennett) Hassler. He was also predeceased by a son Jeffrey. He is survived by his children, Deborah (Don) McCutcheon of Laurens, SC, Patty Hassler of LAC, Edward Jr. of Ronceverte, WV, Timothy of Pennsville, Kevin, and Susan Hassler of Woolwich Twp. Additionally, he is survived by eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He leaves behind the love of his life Terry Knoebel who made the last 2 ½ years of his life so enjoyable.

Ed was the youngest of fourteen children. He was predeceased by his brothers Francis, Morant, John, George, Joseph Jr., Thomas, Ralph, Paul, Robert, David, William, and two sisters,  Matilda Green and Gertrude Myers. 

Ed left high school in 1951 to enlist in the Navy at the age of 17. He shipped out to Korea on the USS Radford where he spent three years on board. He became a radioman and traveled the Pacific from the Arctic to Antarctica with Pearl Harbor as his home base.

His squadron was designated for the security of the hydrogen bomb, Operation Ivy in 1952 and ten days later he was positioned just one mile from the detonation of the A Bomb. Later the squadron relocated to assist in preventing the communist Chinese from invading Formosa with the goal of protecting Chiang Hai-shek, the president of national China.

He received numerous awards for his service including the Korean Service Medal, three bronze stars, China Service Medal, Korean Presidential Medal, United Nations Medal, Cold War Victory Commemorative Medal and the Korean Presidential Unit Citation Commemorative Medal.  

Upon his return home he worked with his brother Morant learning the plumbing and HVAC trade. During that time he also obtained his GED. In 1963 he went to work for E.I. DuPont Chambers Works as a pipefitter and went out on disability in 1992. He was also self-employed in the plumbing and HVAC business. 

His civic involvements included the VFW which he joined in 1954 and remained a member until his death. He was the post commander from 1969-1970. He was a fourth degree knight in the Knights of Columbus. Ed took pride in putting American flags on the graves of veterans in St. Mary’s and the Baptist cemeteries twice a year for fifty years. He was a lifelong member of St. Mary’s RC church.

He lived along the Salem river since 1978 and during that time enjoyed traveling on his boats with family and friends. In later years he enjoyed sitting in the sunroom watching the boats go by as well as the setting of the sun. His hobby was woodworking and he enjoyed making items for family and friends. He and Sandy loved to travel and saw much of the US while visiting family and friends.

A Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 PM, Friday, November 21st at WOODSIDE FUNERAL HOME, 613 Salem Quinton Rd, Salem, NJ 08079 (located in Quinton Twp).  Mass of Christian Burial will be held 1:00 PM, Saturday, November 22nd, at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, 25 Oak Street, Salem, NJ 08079. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Cemetery, 8 Grieves Parkway, Salem, NJ 08079.

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