Thomas Vincent Messina

Thomas Vincent Messina, age 93, of Grants Pass, Oregon, passed away Thursday, December 6, 2012, at his home.

A memorial Celebration of Life will be held at the chapel at Countryside Village, 1700 Kellenbeck Ave. in Grants Pass on December 28th at 11:00 a.m. with a light lunch to follow. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

Tom Messina was born in Batavia, New York, on November 4, 1919, to James and Sarah Messina. He had 6 brothers and 2 sisters, and went to school in Batavia, graduating in 1938. Tom enjoyed working on the farm with his father. He enlisted and served his country in the Navy from 1942 – 1945 attaining the rank of Chief Yeoman, and saw action in the Pacific. Tom married Evelyn O’Keefe at St John’s Catholic Church in Napa, California, on July 31, 1943. Upon discharge from the service, he became a sheet metal worker for Local 104 in Vallejo, California, doing heating and air conditioning work. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Moose Lodge, and he served as president of the Napa County Bowling Association for a time. The couple lived in Napa, California, for many years. At the time of his wife’s passing, Tom had been married 62 years.

He moved to Grants Pass, Oregon, in 2009, where he lived until his passing.

Tom enjoyed bowling, golf, fishing and pool. He was a cook and his specialty was authentic Italian dishes. Tom was a sports fan and was thrilled when his team, the San Francisco Giants won the World Series in 4 straight games this year. He loved big band music and the singers of the 1940s.

Tom is survived by 3 daughters, Sarine Anderson of Grants Pass, Oregon, Bridget Jimenez of Vacaville, California, and Joanne Iacona of Boca Raton, Florida. He is survived by two siblings, his sister Laura Baglio of Rockville, Maryland, and his brother John Messina of Batavia, New York. Tom has 5 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren, and numerous nephews and nieces.

Internment will be at the Sacramento Valley National Memorial Cemetery at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to St Apollinaris Catholic Church in Napa, California, St Anthony’s Catholic Church in Batavia, New York, St Anne’s Catholic Church in Grants Pass, Oregon, or the American Cancer Society.

~ Mick Anderson

I’m Free
Don’t grieve for me for now I’m free.
I’m following the path God laid for me.
I took his hand when I heard him call.
I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day,
To laugh, to love, to work, or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way,
I’ve found that peace at the close of day.

If my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,
Ah yes, these things I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow:
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life’s been full I savored much,
Good times, good friends, a loved one’s touch.

Perhaps, my time seemed all too brief,
Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me,
God wanted me now; He set me free.
Author Unknown