South Portland- John E. Hasson, Jr. died on Sunday, June 10, 2018, at Mercy Hospital in Portland, Maine, surrounded by his loved ones, after a courageous battle with myelodysplastic cancer. He was 79 years old.
John was born in Portland, Maine in 1938, the eldest son of John E. and Katherine Josephine (Donovan) Hasson, and he lived in and around his beloved city for his entire life. At the time of his death, he resided in his home on the South Portland waterfront, looking over Portland Harbor.
John attended grammar school at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Munjoy Hill, and was a member of its Boys’ Choir. He was a graduate of Cheverus High School’s Class of 1957, where he made lifelong friends whose faithful check-ins and gatherings meant the world to him. He was thrilled to receive his Golden Diploma at his 50th reunion last summer.
John served in the US Army as an Army Ranger and a member of the Military Police Honor Guard in Germany. He got to see a lot of Europe while serving. John earned his degree from University of Southern Maine. He taught math in the South Portland school system for 25 years.
John was a skilled mason. His brick and stonework can be found all over the city, in the West End, the Old Port and on just about every island in Casco Bay. He was also proud to lend his skills to the schools that were important to him, building the brick pillars at the Cheverus football field and the entrance sign at South Portland High School. He learned his trade as a teenager from Angelo Vumbaca and he went on to mentor many of his own apprentices. His daughters and most of his nieces and nephews can also recount summer experiences ferrying to this or that island as John’s mason tender.
John was a lover of life, of learning and of meeting people. He was known for striking up conversations with folks he met wherever he went, from the counter at Becky’s Diner to meeting 3 former US Presidents on the docks at DiMillo’s. He loved the ocean and logged many hours boating on Casco Bay, restoring classic boats and even living on his boat for several years. He also got his pilot’s license flying out of Biddeford and Portland airports.
John is survived by his daughters, Susan Hasson and Katherine Hasson, by their mother and his former wife, Maureen (Mallett) Hasson, and his grandchildren, Zoe Hasson-Porobic and Samuel Hasson Hadley. He is survived also by his siblings, Elizabeth (Hasson) Plourde, David Hasson, and Elaine (Hasson) Thornton. He was predeceased by his sister Jane Hasson. John is also survived by his dearest friend and companion, Helen Malone, who brought him great joy. John also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, friends, his coffee group, and loved ones. John will be dearly missed by all who loved his outgoing charm, undaunted spirit and seeing him around town in any one of his antique cars and trucks.
Relatives and friends are invited to a time of visitation from 4-8 pm on Thursday, June 14, 2018, at Jones Rich & Barnes Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St. Portland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 am on Friday at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 307 Congress St. Portland. Burial at Calvary Cemetery will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Catholic Charities.
Please visit www.jonesrichandbarnes.com to sign John’s online guest book.
