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Stephen Joseph “Steve” Hassett, 50 of Walkersville, passed away peacefully on November 8 at his home, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Frederick on March 11, 1961, he was the seventh of nine children to Maurice M. and Mary E. Murray Hassett, of Walkersville. Steve attended St. John’s Grade School in Frederick through eighth grade. He graduated from Walkersville High School in 1979 where he lettered in basketball, tennis, and track. He also graduated from Frederick Community College in 1981, and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County in 1984. He was appointed to the Maryland State Police Academy in 1985, and over the following nearly 27 years, was assigned to numerous locations throughout Maryland. Due to illness, he had to prematurely discontinue his career while actively working as a sergeant in the Criminal Investigation Section of the Frederick Barrack. Steve began working on area farms stacking hay at the age of 13 and rarely went without a job since. He worked his way through high school and college for a variety of area businesses including McDonalds, Wells Fargo, and the Frederick County Highway Department. As he settled into his career with the Maryland State Police, he delighted in spending time helping family, raising his children, doing home renovations, or woodworking. He was always impressed with the creativity and craftsmanship of others and was happy to fix anything for other people. He worked for a few years in the early 1990’s as a home inspector for Pearl’s Homeworks, trained by the American Society of Home Inspectors. He was a past volunteer T-ball, soccer, and basketball coach for each of his children with the Glade Valley Athletic Association. He was athletic, loved to run, and proud to have completed 35 miles in the John F. Kennedy 50 Mile Hike in 1973 at the age of twelve. He participated in and finished the same 50 Mile ultra marathon in 1992 and, despite his wife’s admonitions, was foolishly intending to do so again before his illness was discovered. Steve had a strong interest in history and world affairs, and was a traditional conservative. He loved listening to a wide variety of music and always wished he had spent more time learning to play the piano and guitar. He was the proud owner of a (not for sale) 1966 Mustang which he carefully garage kept in excellent condition. He was proud of his enduring long term relationship with a large group of loyal friends from high school, and he shared a special bond with his black Lab and constant companion of recent years, Trooper. He was a reluctant follower of the Ravens, Redskins, Orioles, and the Terrapins. He particularly enjoyed March Madness in spite of the Terps. He was a fan of the Simpsons, Seinfeld, and the Office, and he enjoyed watching old Twilight Zone episodes with his kids and reading the Far Side comics. He was also a member of the Maryland Troopers Association. Steve loved and cherished the time he was able to spend with his family and friends, but was just as committed to his duties and responsibilities at work and he was deeply appreciative of the kindness and consideration given to him by his co-workers at the Maryland State Police which allowed him to continue working long after his illness was discovered. Without such understanding and compassion, he could not have served as long as he did. He was proud to have been associated with so many people of such deep moral character and strong personal values as those he worked with for so many years in the Maryland State Police, and would have chosen to continue if his time had not been cut short. He was diagnosed in 2006 with Neuroendocrine Carcinoid, a very rare form of terminal cancer. He subsequently participated in clinical trials at the National Institute of Health in hope of advancing the science and study of the disease for the benefit of other victims. Steve leaves behind his high school sweetheart and loving wife of 26 years, Patricia Stoner Hassett, and his three children: 2nd Lt. Patrick Stephen Hassett USMC, Elizabeth Leigh Hassett, and Michael Ryan Hassett. Also surviving are six siblings: Richard Hassett of Frederick, Kathleen Hassett of Frederick, John M. Hassett and wife Lucy of Baltimore, Barbara Hassett Mintzell and husband Martin of Annandale, VA, Janet Hassett of Walkersville, and Megan Hassett Krucenski and husband Kenneth of Baltimore, many nieces and nephews also survive. Also surviving are Patty’s parents, Gary and Doris Stoner of Thurmont and her sisters: Sheryl Hall of Anchorage, AK, Lynda Huber and husband Larry of Walkersville, and Kim Mauck and husband Ed of LaPlata. He was preceded in death by two brothers Christopher in 2003 and Kevin in 2011. Sargeant Hassett is at the Robert E. Dailey & Son Funeral Homes, P.A., 1201 North Market Street, Frederick, where the family will receive friends from 3-5 & 7-9 P.M., Thursday, November 10. A wake service will be held at 8:00 P.M., Thursday at the funeral home. A mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 A.M., Friday, November 11 at the St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, 112 East 2ND Street, Frederick with Rev. Fr. Jim Reusing, as the celebrant. Interment will follow in Glade Cemetery, Walkersville. Memorial donations may be made in Steve’s name to the Dr. Christopher Hassett Scholarship Fund at St. John’s Catholic Prep, c/o Diane Favret, 889 Butterfly Lane, Frederick, MD 21703 or to the Hospice of Frederick County, P. O. Box 1799, Frederick, MD 21702 |
