GEORGE MESSER

MESSER, George Andrew "Andy," of Atlanta, Ga., and a native of Richmond, Va., beloved husband, father and grandfather, went home to be with his Lord on Tuesday, April 17, 2012. He was preceded in death by his parents, George W. and Doris S. Messer. He is survived by his loving wife of almost 52 years, Joan Schwartz Messer, also a native of Richmond; and three sons, Guy A. Messer (Alicia), Brooks, Ga., Chris S. Messer, Springfield, Va., and Jason A. Messer (Andrea), Jefferson, Ga. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Shannon, Caleb, Austin, BriAnna, Brenden, Hope and Ashley. He is further survived by his three siblings: sisters, Mary Piotrowski, Florida, Linda Messer, Virginia; and a brother, Jimmy Messer, Virginia. He has one niece, Cathi Pogorzelski; and nephew, Stephan Messer. Andy graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School, having been in the marching band of the Cadet Corps. He served in the United States Air Force from 1960 - 1964 and was stationed at Patrick Air Force Base at Cape Canaveral during the pioneer age of the space program. He was honorably discharged from the military and employed by "Ma Bell" as a communications technician in 1964, and attended several years of college at VCU, formerly RPI, majoring in Accounting. During this period of time, he served in the U.S. Army Reserve and later served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. He retired from AT&T in 1989 in management and embarked on a second career as a radio officer for nine years with the Merchant Marines and traveled to many foreign countries around the world. Andy was a past member of Yarrab Temple with their communications unit in Atlanta, Ga., as well as a past member of the Acca Temple Band in Richmond, where he served as past president of the band for year 2003. Andy was also a member of the U.S. Navy-Marine Corps for the Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS). There will be a memorial service held in Richmond at a later date and notice of the date, place and time will be published in this paper at the appropriate time. Rest in peace, Sweetheart, and thank you for being a gentle, compassionate and loving husband and father.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.