Thomas (Tom) Francis Hassett

I wish to convey my most sincere condolences to the Hassett family, though it has been five years since the passing of Tom. Only now have I learnt of his demise.

Tom and I enjoyed many a wonderful discussion, usually on Saturday mornings in his house. I remember very well the impressive library of books that he kept.

His kind and pleasant nature was both charming and reassuring. It helped me see that neither age, colour nor creed need bar us from seeing the good in others.

I regret that I didn’t say goodbye to Tom when I left Canada in 2012 but I hope this scripture brings a measure of comfort to the Hassett family:

“If a man dies, can he live again? I will wait all the days of my compulsory service Until my relief comes. You will call, and I will answer you. You will long for the work of your hands.”

– Job 14:14, 15

I was totally unaware of Uncle Tom’s parachuting adventures back in summer 1970. But evidently he was keen to share his love of life and adventure with my cousins and me. He took my three cousins, their friend, and me tubing down the Similkameen River in Keremeos, BC in August 1970. August was when the river was at its shallowest depth. That hot sunny afternoon forever remains in my memory as one of the most enjoyable things I did in my teens.

I was staying at my cousins’ home in Keremeos that summer. One day Uncle Tom who was on leave from the RCAF popped by to visit his oldest sister Eileen and his nieces and nephew. While his sister Eileen went off to work, us kids helped pack up Uncle Tom’s car with a bunch of inner tubes. He drove us to the outside of town to this old covered faded red bridge and he parked his car there. Now back then the bridge was in disrepair and some of the wood that covered the side of the bridge was missing. That wasn’t a problem because that is where we would make our jumps. Not only that, the river at that spot was deep and calm enough to make successful jumps.

We followed Uncle Tom onto the bridge with our inner tubes. Then with his inner tube he told us kids to watch him. He stepped through one of the gaps in the wall of the bridge and stood there on the edge looking down over the river. Then he threw his inner tube down to the water below and jumped off the bridge and landed with a big splash in the water below. He surfaced and called up to us to do the same. So one at a time we copied what Uncle Tom did throwing our inner tubes down into the water below, and then one by one we jumped down to the water with a big splash too. What fun! We all surfaced successfully.

Then came the bigger fun of tubing down the river for about 12 km to Cawston which was beyond Keremeos. There were plenty of rapids on the way down, nothing too dangerous because the water in the rapids was quite shallow, but sometimes we had to be careful as we went through those narrows. It meant sticking out our arms or legs and being prepared to shove or push our inner tubes away from the wall of rock that lined the embankment along both sides of the river through the narrows. As we passed through the rapids we also had to steer clear of large rocks or boulders situated on the bed of the river. It was a fantastic challenge and an exhilarating adventure. Other areas of the river were calm and we just paddled along using our hands.

By the time we floated into Cawston a couple of hours later, Uncle Tom knew it was time to get us out of the water. The river was really shallow in that area too so we stood up and made our way over to the shoreline. It was funny to watch us getting our land legs working again as we walked from there to a fruit stand of a neighbour that Aunt Eileen knew. Uncle Tom asked the neighbour if he could use her phone. He called Aunt Eileen and she came to pick us up. She dropped us children off at her home and then she drove Uncle Tom to his car that he left at the covered bridge.

I didn’t know that Uncle Tom was leaving for Cyprus after he left Keremeos that summer. The next time I saw him was in 1972 at my parents’ home in Burnaby. We were excited to see Uncle Tom again especially because he brought his new wife Joan to meet us.

Thank-you Uncle Tom for your wit, your abundant generosity and compassion, and for leaving me with your love of genealogy. : )

Cliff and I are so sorry to hear about your Dads passing. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

I’m so sorry to hear of Mr. Hassett’s passing. I have fond memories of him while I was at St. Andrew’s. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family during this difficult time.

I met Tom while I was on UN Duty in Cyprus, I was the Canadian Contingency dentist. He was a fine fellow and always a pleasure to talk with. I ran into him a few years later in Base Borden and I had the pleasure f meeting his wife. RIP Tom

To Joan and all of Tom’s family, Phyllis and I are very sorry for your loss. Please forgive us for not having been in touch for a while. Tom was a wonderful friend throughout the years. We were fortunate to have been together in Petawawa, Lahr and Victoria. He was a great soldier, strong and courageous, good to have near you in adversity, well-liked by everyone. In retirement he was an excellent story teller and well read conversationalist. Tom will be remembered by all who met him. Thinking of you and hoping that you find peace and comfort. Tom and Phyllis Paterson

Our thoughts & Prayers are with you Joan & family at the passing of Tom, a loving husband & father. Rest in Peace dear Tom xoxoxox

I served with Tom during his tour with 2 Canadian Guards and the Airborne Regiment. He was a good and decent man, much liked and respected by all ranks in both units for his warmth, humour, common sense and common touch. He was unique in all the ways soldiers respect. May he rest in peace.

Tom was one of the best and I enjoyed our friendship very much. He will be fondly remembered by me. Especially the time he let me drive his Opel GT in the parking lot of Thetis lake one cold spring day when I was 13.

Dear Joan and family, My prayers are with all of you during this sad time. Tom will be greatly missed. I first met him many years ago when he was principal of SARHS and I was teaching at St. Andrew’s Elementary. Then I got to know the family and Joan. I miss hearing Tomread at Mass – he proclaimed the good news in such a beautiful way. Much love to all of you. Linda Chatton

Hello Joan, We were sorry to read of Tom’s passing. It was lovely to get to know you Joan, in the “Support Group” at Broadmead Lodge. Our other connections were with Louis & Sylvia…and the same dentist (where I first met you!) I know that this past while has been very difficult for you…may you know the real “peace that passes all understanding” as you say your (temporary) good-byes….May the Lord Bless you & keep you…Love, Jean Prette

Requiescat in pace Tom. You and your family have always been held close in my heart since I was the assisting officer after Liam’s death. I had already known of Tom through Airborne friends, and the very high regard in which he was held, especially by RSM Buxton, who Tom held in equal high regard.
Joan, my thoughts and prayers are with you during this immediate grieving time, and in the days ahead. Blessings, always … Brian ❤️

Please allow me on behalf of Drop Zone Vancouver Island to offer our sincere condolences to Joan and Family. Fair Winds and Soft Landings Tom.

Al Currie, Jumpmaster DZVI

I served with Tom in the Canadian Airborne Regiment during the 1960s & 1970s, and he was unlike any military padre I ever knew. Tom jumped with us on every exercise he could get into, and he enthusiastically covered the entire field of operations to brighten the spirits of every young paratrooper he could find (there was nowhere to hide!). Legend has it that our Engineers crafted a specially-fortified container for Tom’s sacramental wine so that he could jump with it – always prepared to conduct mass wherever the opportunity presented. Tom was entertaining, liked a bit of scotch & an occasional card game. More importantly than being a well-liked character, Padre Hassett was a genuinely fine person. “Fair Winds & Soft Landings” padre.

My sympathies to Mrs. Hassett and all of the extended family. Mr. Hassett had such a big personality and will live on as a bit of a legend in my memory. May he rest in peace!

We are so sorry to hear of Tom’s passing! He was so supportive of us, as parents at St. Andrew’s. The Hassett family will all be in our thoughts and prayers at this very difficult time!

I have very fond memories of Tom and his wonderful smile. Your family is so important and loved by ours and we are with you during this very difficult time. Sending all our love and support to all the extended Hassett family.