Paul Messina Jr.

Paul R. Messina, Jr.

Born on July 21, 1926 in San Pedro, California and passed away on September 16, 2015. He was preceded in death by the love of his life, wife Stella (née Spondello), of 56 years and his son, Joseph. Paul attended Leland Street Elementary School, Dana Junior High School and San Pedro High School. He served in the United States Navy in the South Pacific during World War II aboard the Naval Destroyer USS Kalk. Paul was aboard the Kalk in Tokyo Bay during the Japanese surrender on the nearby USS Missouri. Paul was a talented cobbler who grew up helping his dad repair shoes. He worked in the shoe business for 45 years. Paul and Stella owned and operated three shoe and repair shops on Pacific St., Center St., and Paul's Fine Footwear on Weymouth Ave. He handcrafted custom shoes for everyone from children to longshoremen. Paul is survived by his children, Paul Messina (wife Stephanie) and Susie Drago (husband Domenic); his daughter in law Marian Messina; his grandchildren Michael, Joey, Paul, John, Lindsay, Gina, and Nicole; and his great-grandchildren Christopher, Joshua, Henry, Jack, and Blake, and two more on the way, Stella (due October) and baby boy Messina (due December). Visitation will be held at 6 pm followed by a Vigil Service at 7pm on Thursday, September 24 at McNerney's Mortuary. Funeral Mass will be held at Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church at 10:30am on Friday, September 25. Interment will follow at Green Hills Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the St. Jude Children Research Hospital, www.stjude.org. Please sign the guestbook at mcnerneysmortuary.com or dailybreeze.com.