Roy Allan Hassel

1935 - 2025

Roy Allan Hassel
June 5, 1935 - October 13, 2025
The Reverend Dr. Roy Allan Hassel, husband of Judith Mowry Hassel, of Hartsdale, New York, died at home on October 13, 2025, at the age of 90, with his wife, Judy, and his four children by his side. Born in White Plains, New York, on June 5, 1935, he was the only child of Edna Hassel Benson and Roy Allan Hassel, Sr. and stepson of Julius A. Benson, all of whom predeceased him.
Raised in White Plains, he graduated from White Plains High School. He then attended Cornell University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree and was in the SAE Fraternity and rowed for the Crew team. He attended Drew University School of Theology, where he graduated with a Master of Divinity in 1960 and later with a Doctor of Ministry degree in 1975. Roy was ordained an Elder in the New York Conference of the United Methodist Church in 1960.
As a United Methodist pastor for forty years, Roy served churches in Kingston, NY, New Paltz, NY, Ridgefield, CT, and Westport, CT, in addition to being a District Superintendent. He and his wife and love of his life, Judy, made quite a team in ministry - serving Christ and making a life of deep and lasting friendships along the way. Following his retirement in 2000, he and his wife, Judy, moved to Hartsdale, NY, back to Roy's family home.
In addition to his wife of 64 years, his memory lives on in their children and grandchildren; children: Jeffrey Hassel of Kennebunk, ME, Susan Hassel Swavely (Greg) of Reading, PA, Cynthia Hassel Jones (Terry) of Haymarket, VA, and Stephen Hassel of Stratford, CT; grandchildren: Ryan and Kristen Swavely and Carter, Kyler and Landon Gray.
A memorial service in celebration of Roy's life will take place on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at 2pm at Jesse Lee Memorial United Methodist Church, 207 Main St., Ridgefield, CT. A reception will follow after the service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Jesse Lee Memorial UMC Legacy Fund, https://jesseleechurch.com/legacy-fund/ .