| 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. |