Albert Joseph Messina Sr.

12/30/2004

Albert Joseph Messina Sr., 86, of 96 Veazie St., died Thursday at Sweetbrook Health Care Center in Williamstown after a short illness. Born in North Adams on Nov. 15, 1918, son of Gregorio and Maria Spagnola Messina, he was educated in North Adams schools. He entered the U.S. Army on Sept. 10, 1941, and served as a private first class with the Headquarters Company, 193rd Tank Battalion of the 3rd Armored Division in Hawaii and the South Pacific Theater of Operations. He was awarded several medals for his service. Mr. Messina was first employed with the former Sprague Electric Co. until entering the military. Following his honorable discharge on Oct. 16, 1945, he returned to Sprague Electric Co. for a short time and then worked for the Cornish Wire Co. in Williamstown in maintenance and production until his retirement in 1979 with more than 31 years of service. He was a lifelong communicant of St. Anthony of Padua Church of North Adams and a member of the Dr. George Curran Post #996, Veterans of Foreign Wars of North Adams, the North Adams Senior Citizens and the Cornish Wire 10-year and 25-year club. He was also a former member of the Frank Stiles Post #125 American Legion of North Adams. His wife, the former Josephine Veronica Vitro, whom he married Aug. 31, 1946, in St. Anthony of Padua Church, died Feb. 20, 1994. He leaves a daughter, Patti Ann Messina of North Adams; two sons, Albert J. Messina Jr. and David Jude Messina, both of North Adams; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. FUNERAL NOTICE -- Funeral services for Albert J. Messina Sr., will take place Monday, Jan. 3, 2005, at 8:15 a.m. at the FLYNN & DAGNOLI-MONTAGNA HOME FOR FUNERALS - CENTRAL CHAPELS, 74 Marshall St., North Adams, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 9 at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 64 Marshall St. Burial with military honors will take place in Southview Cemetery, North Adams. Calling hours at the funeral home are Sunday, Jan. 2, 2005, from 4 to 7. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested for the American Cancer Society. Survivors include grandchildren, Stephanie Martin, Harrison King III, Melanie King, Tracey Ireland, Christopher Messina, Alyson Messina and great-grandchildren, Dylan Martin, Madelaine Martin, Jacqueline Ireland and Frankie Ireland. He was predeceased by his sisters, Rose Andrews, Marion Marchio and Carmela DiBattista, and his brothers, Fiorino Messina, Joseph Messina, Dominic Messina, John Messina, Francis Messina and George Messina.

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