MICHAEL JOSEPH MESSINA – Obituary
Michael Joseph Messina of Vineland on Sunday, April 8, 2018. Age 93. Husband of the late Julie Claire (nee Pfieffer) Messina. Father of Veronica Messina, Helena (Fran) Nardella, and David M. (Kristina) Messina. Grandfather of Kaneeya Kenny, Anthony Kenny, Alyssa Trepaczha, Julianna Messina, and the late Jillian Trepaczka. Great-grandfather of Lewis and Mackensie. Brother of the late Gaetana “Dolly” Biello and Matthew Messina. Son of the late Angelo and Amelia (nee Di Benedetti) Messina.
Born and raised in South Philadelphia, Michael moved to Elk Township in 1987 and was most recently a resident of the NJ Veterans Memorial Home in Vineland. He proudly served his country in the US Navy during World War II as an electrician on a Tender Boat in the South Pacific and witnessed the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Michael worked as a tailor in the family business for a number of years before becoming a printing press operator and later foreman for Mid-City Press in Philadelphia until 1983. He founded M&M General Contracting working various trades until his retirement in 1995.
Michael was very handy around the house, always building and fixing things, and taking pride in making things just right. He learned about cars in technical school and was always tinkering and caring for his cars. Michael enjoyed reading to learn new things and liked to play cards with his family and build model airplanes with his son, David. He loved horse racing and playing craps. His wife Julie was the love of his life; a part of him was lost when she died, but he never stopped talking about her even up until his final days. They took many vacations together, traveling often to Florida including their honeymoon at Disney World. Michael and Julie also loved to dance and had weekly nights out dancing.
Relatives and friends are invited to his viewing on Friday, April 13, 2018, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the BARCLAY FUNERAL HOME, 208 Maple Street, Clayton, NJ 08312. Funeral service at 12:00 PM at the funeral home. Interment Hillcrest Memorial Park, Hurffville. For those who so desire, contributions may be made in his memory to the NJ Veterans Memorial Home, 524 North West Boulevard, Vineland, NJ 08360. Sign the guest book and send condolences at BarclayFuneralHome.net.