Keleal Stephen Hassin, Jr.

Keleal Stephen Hassin Jr. passed away peacefully during his sleep on April 28, 2026, in Gulfport, Mississippi, after a lengthy illness. He was born September 12, 1944, in Yazoo City, Mississippi, where he spent his youth and achieved Eagle Scout status. Keleal loved scouting as a young boy. Generations fondly remember “Hassin’s on Broadway” mercantile in Yazoo City.

Keleal earned a Master of Architecture degree in 1969 from Tulane University. After a short residence in Anchorage, Alaska, where he served in the Alaska Army Reserve, Keleal returned to Mississippi, settled in Gulfport, and began his architectural career. Well known for his role as Head Architect for the 1987 renovation of the Gulfport-Biloxi Regional Airport, he is probably best remembered as the inspiration for and supervision and completion of numerous public facilities, clinics, churches, and private residences which dot the landscape of Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson counties. During the post Hurricane-Katrina era he also served as President of the Board of Appeals for the City of Gulfport.

From his role as Rush Chairman for Kappa Sigma Fraternity to his role as a founding and Charter member of the Orange Grove-Gulfport Rotary Club, Keleal never met a stranger and enjoyed meeting and serving people throughout his life. A devout lifelong Catholic, Keleal was a member of St. James Catholic Church where he was a former member of the Parish Council and Chairman of the Rosary Rally for the Diocese of Biloxi. Many special bonds were also made during Wednesday poker nights as well as Men’s Wednesday prayer meetings. Keleal always saw the best in people and lived his life positively. He met the challenges of living with Parkinson’s in the same manner with the same grace. Keleal enjoyed his heritage, especially sharing good Lebanese cooking. On Sunday afternoons he could be found wearing his Drew Brees jersey and watching the Saints.

Keleal was preceded in death by his parents, Keleal, Senior, and Lucille Alias Hassin, and brother Danny and wife Margaret.

He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Patricia Gray Hassin; his daughter, India Woods (Brad) and her brother, Jase Roberts; his step-sons, Charlie Russell (Ashley) and Harrison Russell; and his granddaughters, Lily Warshauer and Isabel Russell. He is also survived by his siblings, Diane Porter (Jay) and Charles Hassin (Molly), along with many beloved nieces, nephews and grand-nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be sent to St. James Catholic Church, 366 Cowan Road, Gulfport, MS 39507.

A gathering of family and friends will be held from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 1726 15th Street, Gulfport. A private graveside service will be held in Glenwood Cemetery in Yazoo City, MS. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport is honored to serve the family of Keleal Stephen Hassin, Jr.