John Paul Vasser, Sr. was born on July 9, 1931, to Pete Vasser, Sr., and Angela Dailey Vasser, in Birmingham, Alabama. He was the tenth of eleven children. John was called home to be with the Lord on December 9, 2023.
John served in the U.S Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, where he held the rank of sergeant. He served a 14-month combat tour in Korea from 1951 to 1952. One day in 1951 while on patrol, John stepped on a land mine and received wounds in his leg, neck, back and eyes from shrapnel. He suffered shrapnel wounds two more times during his service. John also served in the Army Reserve from 1953 to 1955, as a standby Army reservist from 1956 to 1976 and in the New York National Guard from 1976 to 1993. Due to bureaucratic red tape and lost documents, it was not until March 26, 2008, that John received his Purple Heart, along with five other medals that he was entitled to. In 2010, John was also the recipient of the Rockland County Buffalo Soldier Award.
On June 29, 1964, John married the love of his life, Doris. They were wed in Nyack, New York by Rev. William C. Taylor, and were blessed with two children from their union. John graduated from Rockland Community College with an associate degree and matriculated in Lehman College where he earned his Bachelor’s degree. For many years John worked at Rockland Psychiatric Center. He later went to work as a therapeutic aid at the Hudson Valley Montrose VA Medical Center, until he retired.
During his life, John was a member of the Nyack NAACP, a volunteer counselor with United Hospice of Rockland, and a member of the Rockland County Eagle Chapter of the Korean War Veteran’s Honor Guard.
John enjoyed working with fellow veterans on projects to make life better for fellow veterans, service men and women. He also took pleasure in helping the children in the Nyack Public School district. He loved photography and gardening and spent many hours doing both. He could be seen taking pictures at every Nyack High School event, veteran’s events, or events at his home church. John was a man who loved his family with every ounce of his being, and enjoyed spending as much time with them as he could.
The one thing anyone could say about John is that he knew and loved the Lord. John joined the Pilgrim Baptist Church of Nyack in November 1958, and served faithfully for 65 years. He served faithfully on the Ushers Ministry, and Pilgrim Mass Choir. John also served on the old Gospel Chorus, Men’s Club, and Male Choir, where he was the president.
John is predeceased by both of his parents; four sisters, and six brothers.
He leaves to remember him, his loving wife, Doris Vasser; his children, John Vasser, Jr., and De Angela Vasser; son-in-law, Michael Holmes; grandchildren, Steven Butler, Quincy Vasser, Jhanna Vasser and Angel Vasser; and many nieces, nephews, friends, and his church family.