Edward (Ned) P. Hassell

Ned Hassell, age 71, passed away on October 20, 2025 in Sacramento, California, due to complications from a heart attack. Ned leaves behind his beloved wife, Carolyn Cotta. Ned and Carolyn were married in October, 2002 in Albion, California. They shared a deep and caring relationship grounded in love, respect, and gratitude for the many gifts they recognized in each other, and for the life they shared together.

Ned and Carolyn spent many happy times on their annual trip to the Mendocino Coast. Carolyn’s love for the ocean inspired Ned to plan other coastal experiences in California, Oregon, Maine, Massachusetts, and a month-long honeymoon in France, including the Normandy Coast and French Riveria. Ned was generous in planning trips for his family; he believed the details of a well-planned event created memories which could last a life time.

Ned loved music; he mostly enjoyed singing. Ned would clear his living room for band practice and join local bands as a singer. Ned was also a self-taught carpenter, handy man; with the help of friends, he remodeled several homes. He could fix, replace, and build anything his home needed. After walking a mail route for years, Ned enjoyed sitting at the computer and mastering a variety of computer skills from spread sheets to photos and music.

Ned’s compassion for others encompassed everything he did. Over several years, he spent weeks at a time tending to his aging parents in Alabama, and helping Carolyn’s parents in Gustine. Ned had a lifelong love for animals. He held a special place in his heart for little Belle, an abandoned chihuahua who wandered onto his front porch and into his life about a year after his retirement. Ned described Belle as an ambassador of joy; she brought smiles to people who saw her riding beside Ned in her car seat, or in the cart at Home Depot. He cherished Belle until her death two years ago. Ned loved his family, who in turn loved his kindness, quick wit, sense of humor and ability to brighten every circumstance.

Ned was born September 30, 1954 in Bad Kreuznach, Germany. As part of an Army family. Ned lived in Germany, Virginia, Kansas, Ohio, and California. Ned graduated from East Union High School in Manteca, California. He served for three years in the U.S. Army, stationed in various state-side assignments and in the Republic of Korea. Ned returned to Stockton to complete his Associate in Arts Degree at San Joaquin Delta College. He then moved to Sacramento to complete his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at California State University, Sacramento in 1980. Ned worked for the U.S. Postal Service as a Letter Carrier until he retired in 2012, with thirty-three years of service.

In addition to his wife, Carolyn Cotta, Ned is survived by his sister; Deborah Rives Hassell-Corbiell (Clem) of Tacoma, Washington; brother, Tim Bain Hassell (Ruth) of Springfield, Virginia; and four nephews, Myles Allen Hassell of Clifton, Virginia; Matthew Oliveria of Merced, California; Brian Oliveria of Gustine, California; and Devin Oliveria of Sacramento, California. Ned was predeceased by his parents, Col (Ret) John Nelson Hassell, and Anne Greenway Bain Hassell.

Ned will be honored at a Celebration of Life to be held at noon on November, 19, 2025. For additional information, a family representative may be contacted at (916) 715-5052.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sacramento SPCA or The Street Dog Coalition, Sacramento Chapter, which provides veterinarian care to homeless pets.