Thomas Tillman Hassell Jr.

Thomas Tillman Hassell JR. died peacefully in his home on Saturday, September 5th 2026. He was predeceased by his parents, Commander Thomas T. Hassell of the United States Navy and Dorothy G. (Hassell) Richardson.

Thomas was happily married to Susan G. Hassell for 61 years. He is survived by his children, William Y. (Chip) Hassell and Sarah H. McKeel (Tyler), 7 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Tom was a native of Newport News, Virginia and graduated from Warwick High School in 1959. He subsequently graduated from the University of Virginia in 1963 and the University of Richmond’s T.C. Williams School of Law in 1966. He maintained a general practice of law in the West End of Richmond for 50 years. In the 1970’s he began work as an adjunct instructor at VCU’s School of Business, which continued for 20 years. He was a 33 year member of the Richmond Lion’s Club (Northside), an active member of Richmond Sail and Power Squadron (sail comittee) and member of Richmond Council Navy League since 1992 having spent 6 years as president. He was also a member of the Tuckahoe Masonic Lodge 349, AF and AM, beginning in 1975. Tom’s greatest recreational interest was sailing. He sailed out of Fishing Bay, Deltaville, VA for over 50 years. Nothing gave him more enjoyment and satisfaction than distance cruising which was primarily done on the Chesapeake Bay but included Caribbean cruises and passages to Bermuda and New England.

As an outgrowth of this interest he earned a USCG Master’s license. Using this license he began a 15 year period of running sail charters and sailboat deliveries in the mid-Atlantic area.

Tom enjoyed many years of vacations with family and friends to OBX, Florida, and abroad.

A celebration of his life will be held at Hanover Tavern 13181 Hanover Courthouse Rd. Hanover, VA 23069 on October 30, 2026 from 1-3pm.