Msgr Joseph Hassler studied for the priesthood at Christ the King Seminary, St. Bonaventure University, and was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Buffalo, New York, on June 4, 1949. He was assigned to the Buffalo Missionary Apostolate at St. John the Evangelist parish in Sinclaireville. He then served as assistant pastor of St. Mary Parish in Lancaster for 18 years. His first pastorate was at St. Mary Parish in Belmont. His last assignment was at St. John the Baptist church in Alden, where he served for 7 years and died at the age of 61 (findagrave.com)