Obituary courtesy George S. Hassler Funeral Home
GEORGE S. HASSLER, 83, of Jackson Township, passed away on Saturday, March 15, 2025 at CentraState Medical Center, in Freehold Township. George was born in Bridgeton, NJ and resided in Lindenwold, NJ before enlisting in the United States Air Force for which he served 6 years, stationed at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. George received the Good Conduct Medal twice, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon during the Vietnam War era. He was honorably discharged at the rank of Airman First Class.
After graduating from Ocean County Community College, he received his diploma in Funeral Service from The American Academy McAllister Institute, Inc., New York City in 1975. In the same year, he was licensed by the NJ State Board of Mortuary Science as a Practitioner of Mortuary Science.
George, along with his late wife, Arlene, established the George S. Hassler Funeral Home in 1978. Over the next 47 years, the funeral home flourished and has provided personal service to this day, with his son Brian and his granddaughter Jill, the second and third generations.
He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #6201, Jackson Township Chamber of Commerce, former President of the Jackson Rotary Club where he was also a Paul Harris Fellow, the American Legion Post 504, the National Funeral Directors Association, the New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association, and the Monmouth-Ocean County Funeral Directors Association.
Over the years, George was humbled with gratitude from numerous organizations for his support of their causes; such as the American Legion Post 504, the V.F.W. Post 4703, the Disabled American Veterans, the Knights of Columbus Annual Charity Golf Tournament, the Jackson Twp. PBA Local 168, the Jackson Veterans Memorial Garden, Jackson Twp. First Aid and Rescue Squad, the Jackson Twp. Volunteer Fire Companies, the Jackson Food Pantry, the Holbrook Little League, the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and H.A.P.PI.N., just to name a few.
George was inducted in 2015 into the Jackson Memorial High School Alumni Hall of Fame. In addition, he was a parishioner, former usher, and served as a trustee of St. Aloysius R.C. Church in Jackson Twp. where he also served as President of the Holy Name Society from 1984-1986.
George went to the office every day until 6 months ago. Whether he was answering the telephone or listening to Elvis records, he was always found sitting at his desk. George was a proud and humble man, strong-willed and even stubborn at times, but he had a huge heart. His generosity knew no bounds. Through his sickness, he carried himself with strength and dignity. When he wasn’t working, he could be found relaxing at his home on LBI, watching the water through his binoculars. He especially loved spending time on LBI with his two favorite girls, Kate and Jill. George was not only a man of many accomplishments, he was also a man of many baseball caps, donning the caps of the schools of his granddaughters.
George was an avid fan of the Philadelphia Eagles, Phillies, Fliers, and Sixers. He also enjoyed watching the Philadelphia news stations and keeping up on current events, both locally and nationally.
He was extremely proud of his family’s accomplishments, especially his granddaughters, who have received Master’s degrees in their respective career fields.
But most of all, George was a loyal family-man, an accomplished professional, a proud veteran, and an all around good guy. He will be missed tremendously but never forgotten.
Rest in Peace, good and faithful servant.
George is predeceased by his loving wife, Arlene, who passed in 2017. He is survived by his devoted son and daughter-in-law, Brian and Michelle Hassler; his cherished granddaughters, Kaitlyn Hassler and her fiancé Jesse Russo, and Jillian Hassler; his sisters Patricia Phelan and Dr. Barbara Phelan and her wife Dr. Carol Reed; and his numerous extended family members, colleagues, and friends.
Relatives, friends, and colleagues are respectfully invited to attend his visitation on Friday, March 21st, 2025 from 4-8 PM at the GEORGE S. HASSLER FUNERAL HOME, 980 Bennetts Mills Road, Jackson Twp, NJ 08527.
His Funeral Liturgy will be offered on Saturday, March 22nd, 2025 at 11 AM at St. Aloysius Roman Catholic Church, 935 Bennetts Mills Road, Jackson Twp, NJ 08527. Please gather at the church at 10:45 AM. A private cremation will follow.
Contributions may be made in memory of George and Arlene to the St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Aloysius Church, 935 Bennetts Mills Road, Jackson Twp. NJ 08527 and to the Arthritis Foundation, P.O. Box 96280 Washington D.C. 22077-7491.
