Charles Messinger
1929 - 2020
Charles Messinger
1929 - 2020
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1929
DIED
2020
Charles Messinger Obituary
MESSINGER, Charles "Chick", 91, passed away peacefully on December 20, in Doylestown, PA.
Chick was one of a kind, a raconteur who loved life. He was a loving son, brother, uncle, cousin, friend and teacher. He spent his entire career as an English teacher at Malverne High School and proudly directed the school's celebrated annual Spring musical. A lifelong devotee of theater, film, and ballet, Chick spread that love among thousands of students, many of whom enjoyed professional careers in the arts.
Raised in the Bronx with a wide range of extended family nearby, Chick's parents, Frank and Helen, encouraged his natural interest in the arts from an early age. Chick was graduated from DeWitt Clinton High School, New York University, and received his Master's from Columbia University.
He served proudly in the army in Germany after college and returned for graduate school.
Chick was a favorite teacher at Malverne High School. His students praised him for encouraging their appreciation of English language and both American and English literature. Chick was recognized among his peers for his stimulating teaching and ability to reach a wide range of students. He was fiercely proud of the accomplishments of students in academics and their careers.
As a devotee of American Musical theater, Chick was perhaps Broadway's biggest fan. He knew every lyric and dance number in his favorite shows. Soon, he became the director of Malverne's renowned musicals, bringing his enthusiasm and spirit to many students, even those who knew nothing about theater before knowing Chick.
After retiring to New Hope, Pennsylvania, Chick spread his love for Bucks County to former students, friends, and family. Many followed him to the area, and Chick cultivated an active and loving circle of friends who enjoyed his love of life and charming and humorous stories about theater, the army, travel and life. He continued following the arts and worked as a film reviewer for local publications. Chick enjoyed fashion and appreciated art and design.
He lived and immensely enjoyed the life he wanted, and Chick was, until his death, upbeat and positive.
He loved his Village 2 "tree house", and although he was no longer able to travel in the last several years, Chick recalled detailed experiences in France, Germany, England, Italy, and throughout the United States.
Friends provided a loving circle of support over the years. Joe Luccaro, Tony Danza, Marsha Mazzei, and many others were unceasingly generous and loving until his death. He was predeceased by his brother, Zane, and is survived by his nieces and nephews, Merrill and Barry Lipter, Andy Messinger and Karen Sokoloff, cousins Peter and Ellen Reiss, Pamela Reiss and Steven Stave, several grand nieces and grand nephews, and many other relatives. Contributions may be made to the Actors' Equity "Curtain Up" fund at www.actorsfund.org.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Andre Williams
December 16, 2022
Guys and Dolls 1978. Time of my life.
FRANK DIOGUARDI
December 29, 2020
I WAS ONE OF 800 or so summer sleepaway campers in Orson PA coed camp for 8 weeks in the 60's. We only knew him as "CHICK" and he produced and directed 5 productions a summer usind every camper and sometimes counselors. He gave us all our first taste of broadway...i was Victor Vidal in the play Sweet Charity...ok I was the only Italian in an all Jewish camp...casting was shoe-in. He gave every camper chorus or not the same attention.I spent 8 summers in the chorus. This was a highly athletic camp---we were athletes not actors and this is what he had to deal with and quite succesfully I might add. He was adored by all!!!!!!!!!!
stephanie bail
December 28, 2020
I still haven't forgotten his dramatic entrances into the classroom. "Let me entertain you" he sang as he whirled and twirled about. There was no doubt that he loved what he did for a living. My condolences to his friends and family. Class of 1962.
Miriram R L Petruck
December 28, 2020
Who could ever forget Mr. Messinger? He would tease the heck out of me in our 11th grade honor's English class. I would like to think that in his doing so, he recognized the importance of (my) "lightening up"...a bit.
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Peter Ehrenhaus
December 28, 2020
One of my favorite memories was his telling our class about seeing Judy Garland at Carnegie Hall. There he is, pressed against the stage, reaching out to her.
Joan sandstedt
December 27, 2020
He was the best and most fun!!!
Kim Purcell
December 27, 2020
Mr. Messinger was my English teacher at Malverne High School in 1961. One of our assignments was to do a satire. I chose the Turn Of The Screw by Henry James. He was grading the papers in class while we were doing another assignment. I remember him laughing out loud while he was grading my paper. After all the laughter I only got a B+. Oh, well. When I went on to Hofstra University and took Freshman English, I was heads above the rest of the class and I attribute that to his teaching! He was an outstanding teacher and a great man.
Melanie Coronetz
December 27, 2020
R.I.P. Chick. You were an incredible person and an inspirational teacher. I'll be looking up at the sky to see you driving around in your white T-bird convertible.
Simone Taylor
December 25, 2020
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love of God and support of family and friends.
Marcia Miller
December 24, 2020
There is not enough to say about "Chick's" SPIRIT, enthusiasm and loving care toward his students especially. He guided many of us through the magical world of Theatre and helped up develop our secret talents. He was the source of great encouragement to all who knew him and he imparted such Love and Courage to all those who crossed his path. There will never be another like him and we are very Thankful to have known his special Personality and Charm He now rides gleefully throughout the Heavens in his Corvette with the wind ruffling through his hair and his beaming smile sparkling to all. Thank You, Our Dear Mr. Messinger, for ALL you have done on Earth.
Lois Rightmyer
December 24, 2020
Mr. Messinger was an inspirational one man show. I rearranged my schedule in high school specifically so I would be in his English class for a second year.
Jessie Rightmyer Osborne
December 24, 2020
He was a great teacher and communicator. He inspired many to appreciate the arts.
EARL A BIRKETT
December 24, 2020
Chick Messinger, my 10th-12th grade honors English teacher (1975-1978), was a great inspiration and an iconic figure at Malverne High School and the student theatre world. My sincerest condolences go out to his family and friends.
Jim Kaye
December 24, 2020
Unfortunately, my complicated class schedule at Malverne High School prevented me from being in Mr. Messenger’s tenth grade honors English class. That saved me alot of work as my regular tenth grade English class was a waste of time. I met him when four of us were preparing a symposium for graduation In 1969. I think he was puzzled how I could be one of the four participants without having been in his class. I am sure I would have enjoyed being in his demanding class. My parents loved musical theater snd I grew up listening to soundtracks of Broadway shows. My family enjoyed the “Lyrics and Lyricists” programs at the 92nd Street Y in NYC, for which there was a waiting list for subscriptions. Though I did not try out for the MHS musicals, I enjoyed attending them. I sing well enough for karaoke on cruises from Florida. I remember “South Pacific” with David Guc snd Tony Danza, and “Kiss Me Kate.” The first MHS musical I attended was when my mother took me to see “The King and I” starring Jeff Bkeckner,” an older brother of my frequent classmate Fern. It was difficult to get tickets back then if you were not related to a cast member. My younger brother Jack played clarinet in the orchestra for “Hello Dolly” comprised of local professional musicians and selected band members. By not being in his class or the musical, I missed great parts of the Malverne HS experience. Sincerest condolences to his family and friends.
George M Levy
December 23, 2020
As Col. Pickering in My Fair Lady in 1965 I can attest to Chick’s dedication to his students. It was an honor knowing him. May he Rest In Peace.
Richard McKnight
December 23, 2020
Mr. Messinger impacted the lives of so many of us. I had him for English class. Even though English was never really my favorite subject (I was more of a Math and Science type). I really enjoyed his class. To this day I remember him explaining the difference between infer and imply. His use of humor made his class memorable.
I also had the opportunity to be in a couple of the musicals (Fiddler on the Roof and Guys and Dolls) those were incredible productions and so much fun to be a part of. Students were involved in the cast and the crew. This productions gave us an opportunity to work together and produce something that we could all be part of.
Mr. Messinger will live on in the memories of all of his students. Looking back and reflecting it was clear that he loved what he did.
Every school should have a "Chick Messinger"
Rest In Peace sir!
Lisa Miller Autry
December 23, 2020
A most amazing teacher and inspiration... Mr. Messenger opened my eyes and heart to Shakespeare (I still can quote key passages over 40 years later), ballet, musicals, and of course, the English language. He stretched our minds and opened our eyes to the beauty of the arts.
Sheila Harris Silvius
December 23, 2020
Terrific teacher. I learned a lot about Shakespeare.
Susan K Browning
December 23, 2020
My favorite English teacher, he opened my eyes to everything from Shakespeare to the Broadway musical genre.
Susan Knap Browning
Makeverne Hugh School Class of 1970
1974 St. Lawrence U. grad with a B. A. in English Lit
R.I.P Mr. Messinger
Christine Florez
December 23, 2020
May his memory be a blessing. My condolences to his family and friends. He was truly one of a kind. I will never forget Mr. Messinger's lectures. They were a highlight of my years at Malverne High School. Not only was I "taught," I was inspired and given wings for my dreams by his sharing his love for teaching, the arts, and literature.
Jane Schloss
December 23, 2020
Chick was so much fun to be with. He often had dinner at our house when I was in high school. I worked with him as a choreographer for “Guys and Dolls in my senior year and Westside Story at a Camp upstate.
We hung out at the movie theater and laughed about how long The Longest Day was.
He was a joy to be with and was so funny and entertaining.
Though I haven’t seen him in years, I have thought about him often. Rest In Peace dear Chick and hope you find Judy Garland in heaven!
Love, Jane Kristall Schloss
Derek Canty
December 23, 2020
Mr Messinger was a beautiful human being. Our school plays at Malverne were legendary. He gave so many students a way to tap into their talents. I fondly remember his English class and how many laughs we had! RIP Mr Messinger. ‘Maggie’
Barry Graham
December 23, 2020
The legacy of Mr. Messinger will carry on in the lives of the many students whose lives he impacted, my own included. What a gift he gave us all! He will be remembered fondly and missed dearly...
Wanda Sands
December 23, 2020
He was my favorite English teacher, especially when it came to reading plays (A Raisin in the Sun). I dedicated my yearbook (Class of 77) to him. He was such a great teacher and person. The best English class ever was when I was in his class.
Ruth Sweet Fox
December 23, 2020
Tree house? I remember him telling us he lived under a mushroom!!! Such a creative imagination he shared! Many sympathies to his family.
Traci Ealey
December 22, 2020
I have nothing but find memories of Charles Messinger as a teacher and as the director of countless plays at Malverne High. He touched many of our lives as students and he will forever remain in our hearts.
Aaron Wolff
December 22, 2020
Thanks Chick for making high school more memorable
Amy Buchanan
December 22, 2020
At Malverne High School, we were blessed to be exposed to a wonderful group of educators. Mr. Messinger was inspiration personified! In the 70s, the high school musical was THE annual event, along with Sports Night—-and Chick WAS the musical! What a beautiful legacy. I can still recite Hamlet’s soliloquy from English class! Rest forever in power, Mr. Messinger!
Darlene Passaretti
December 22, 2020
Thank you for helping me understand Shakespeare and getting me interested in the school plays .You will Continue to be an inspiration to every student you have taught. rest in peace dear friend
Kim Cooper
December 22, 2020
I’m a singer, songwriter ,producer,actress because of his influence in my life. I speak about him often .He was one of the best teachers ever. Him gave me my first singing part in the musical Oliver.May he be blessed.Thank you Mr.Messinger. Kim Cooper
Donald Dougherty
December 22, 2020
His plays, in which my children appeared, were a marvelous unifying symbol of the greatness of a unique school district. He was a wonderful colleague.
Andre Williams
December 22, 2020
One in a million
Dorothy E. Habben, Ph.D.
December 22, 2020
Charles Messinger had a profound impact on my life. He instilled in me a love for both literature and writing that shaped my studies and my career. He introduced me to Shakespeare when I was still in junior high and selected me to attend a performance of "As You Like It" at the Hofstra Shakespeare Festival. In class, he analyzed the Bard's plays; I still have my marginal notes! When I became a professor, he was one of the teachers I sought to emulate. And when I became a University administrator, I remembered how he encouraged me to write. Without him, my life might well have taken a very different turn, and I will always, always be grateful for his support and encouragement. It is now time for him to take his rest. He leaves behind a remarkable legacy and thousands of students who owe him so very much. Thank you for everything, dear mentor and friend.
Robin Grusko
December 22, 2020
A lovely tribute! I hope that in the life after this, he is being greeted by his parents, Frank and Helen, his brother Zane, Zane’s wife, Lillian, and Lillian’s sisters and their husbands, Ellen and Bill and Bertha and Al! They were a lively group!
Laurence Maslon
December 22, 2020
Mr. Messinger (I always hard time calling him “Chick”) was a seminal influence in my life as an artist and musical theater fan. I was in three musicals he directed at Malverne (usually in a non-singing part, alas) and Mr. Messinger believed in and supported non-traditional casting before the term was invented. He was very brave and very progressive. After he retired, I invited him to see a production of his beloved “Pal Joey” in Philadelphia. I worked for the theater and after the first preview, we fired the director and I took over; I asked him for notes—he was thrilled. A week or two later, we opened and I invited him to opening night. He was thrilled again, and felt a part of the evening and was very supportive. In my most recent book, on the history of Broadway cast albums, I put in a full-page picture of his favorite diva, Vivienne Segal, just for him. When I last spoke to him, I’m not sure he quite knew that I had sent him the book. Still, he paved the way for so much joy in my life, all of it accompanied by show tunes. Do you think St. Peter will let him direct “Gypsy” in Heaven—if Chick gives up that damn whistle?
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