Roger N. MESSIER

POQUOSON - Roger NereE Messier, 77, former Vice Mayor and a longtime resident of Poquoson passed away with family by his side Friday, April 30, 2010, at Duke University Hospital, Durham, N.C.
Roger served his country in the USAF Korean Conflict for four years. He went on to being a member of the NASA-Houston space program team. He received various awards throughout his career to include the NASA Exceptional Bravery Award. He retired in December 1989 from NASA after 38 years of service as a Branch Chief of Systems Engineering Division. He served on Poquoson City Council for 12 years, including six years as Vice-Mayor. He was a member for six years of the Poquoson School Board including three years as Chairman. He enjoyed volunteering in different classroom projects throughout the school system. Roger was a member of American Legion Poquoson Post #273, and served as Department Commander for the State of Virginia of the American Legion. He also served for many years as the Master of Ceremonies for the Virginia Boys State that was sponsored by the American Legion. He was awarded the American Legion's Distinguished Service Award. He was also a member of the Poquoson Kiwanis Club and St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church in Tabb. Roger lived his life serving his community, his church, and spending time with his family and friends.
Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Laura Messier; a sister, Andrea Smith; and a brother, Urgel Messier.
He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Bettie Evans Messier; four daughters, Cheryl Warren of Cape Hatteras, N.C., Joan Fournier of Derby, Vt., Sallie Herbener, and Kristi Jackson and husband, Eric all of Poquoson; eight grandchildren, Lindsey White, Joe Fournier, Kyle Warren, Danielle Herbener, Ryan Herbener, Reilly Jackson, Cameryn Jackson, and Avery Jackson; a brother, Renald Messier of Newport, Vt.; three sisters, Henriette Armstrong of Punta Gorda, Fla., Marguerite Burrell of Albuquerque, N.M., Claire Burlton of Newport Center, Vt.; and numerous extended loving family and friends.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Claytor Rollins Funeral Home, Poquoson, and other times at the home. A Mass of the Resurrection for Roger N. Messier will be held 11 a.m. Monday at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church by the Rev. Lawrence J. Mullaney Jr., and Honorable Mayor Gordon C. Helsel Jr. Burial will follow at Parklawn Memorial Park by Department Chaplain of the American Legion, Dr. David F. Russell, with American Legion honors.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Poquoson Education Fund, P.O. Box 2425, Poquoson, VA 23662 or Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church Building Fund, 3800 Big Bethel Road, Yorktown, VA 23693. Online condolences to www.claytorrollins.com. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.