John F. "(Jack)" Messina

ONEONTA _ John F. "Jack" Messina, 83, of Oneonta, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2009, at his residence.
He was born July 16, 1925, in Bouckville, the son of Joseph and Rose (Peteri) Messina.
He married Dawn Speh on Aug. 12, 1978.
Jack served his country in the Army during World War II, and was assigned to the 10th Mountain Division. After being discharged from the service, he enrolled in Syracuse University and received B.S. degree.
For a period of time, he had the Dairylea Ice Cream business in Oneonta. He then got the idea to build a mobile home park. It was a struggle and a lot of hard work, but he succeeded. He owned and managed Meadow Lane Mobile Home Park for 43 years until it was sold last year.
Jack was an avid skier, as well as a professional certified skiing instructor. He and his wife held fond memories of their friends joining them in Killington, Vt., where they leased a "Log Cabin" for several years. They enjoyed spring skiing into the months of May and June. Jack also made annual trips to the West for skiing until the age of 75.
He attended the Oneonta Wesleyan Church.
He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Dawn Messina, of Oneonta; his children, Carol McCarthy of Long Beach, Calif., Margaret Willette of San Diego, Calif.., Jacqueline Currier of Cortland, Joseph Messina of Utica, John C. (Ivy) Messina of Oneonta, Sherri Kochinka of Denver, Colo., Michael (Ann) Bibler of Cheyenne, Wyo., and Ronald (Melody) Scorzafava of Clove, N.M.; his grandchildren, Lincoln and Madison Messina, Matthew Willette, Julie Currier, Clayton, Justin, Damien and Mariah Scorzafava, and Joshua Bibler; a brother, George Messina of Utica, and a sister, Josephine (Francis) Brennan of Rochester; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins; and his former wife, Margaret M. Messina of Utica.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by four sisters, Mary and Rosaline Messina, Theresa Elia and Jane Mirabito.
A funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009, in the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, 14 Grand St., Oneonta, with the Rev. Norman C. Moran officiating.
Burial with military honors will be held later in the Oneonta Plains Cemetery.
Friends may call Saturday from 11 a.m. until service time.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Oneonta Salvation Army, River Street, Oneonta, NY 13820.
Condolences to the family may be made online by visiting the website www.grummonsfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are by the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, Oneonta.