James Messina

James J. Messina, 86, of Franklin Township, Beaver County, passed after an extended illness Sunday at the VA Butler Healthcare Medical Center Hospice Care Unit with his son by his side.

Jim was born in the Burnstown section of Ellwood City to the late Joseph V. and Florence Timpano Messina.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Irma E. Messina, on Nov. 26, 2012. They were married on Dec. 27, 1947, at St. Agatha Church in Ellwood City.

Jim attended Wayne Township School and Lincoln High School.

Jim was inducted into the U.S. Army at Indiantown Gap as a rifleman. After his initial training, he was stationed in Wurzburg, Germany, and served as a military policeman with Company A, 388th Military Police Service Battalion European Theater of Operations. He attained the rank of private first class and was awarded the Army of Occupation Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. He was honorably discharged at Ft. Dix, N.J., on May 14, 1947.

Jim was called back to active duty on April 12, 1950, and served at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo. He was honorably discharged from the 6th Armored Division on April 11, 1953. Jim served in the Army Reserves from Sept. 22, 1953, to Sept. 21, 1956, and later the Air Force Reserves until his honorable discharge from both on Nov. 26, 1962.

In civilian life, Jim had a 36-year career as a machinist and tube reducer at the East Works Division of B&W Co. in Beaver Falls. Jim was a graduate of the Beaver Valley Masonry Training School in Rochester and also owned and operated Messina Safety and Office Supply Equipment Co. during the 1960s.

He was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans PA Chapter 112, a life member of American Legion Post 157 and a member of the Ellwood City VFW. He also served on the Veteran's Honor Guard and was a service volunteer at the VA Butler Healthcare Medical Center.

Jim was a lifelong member of Holy Redeemer Parish and served as an usher and money counter at St. Agatha Church.

Jim had been living with a kidney impairment and was a patient at Fresenius Medical Care Dialysis Unit in Ellwood City.

Surviving are one son and one daughter, Robert J. Messina of Ellwood City and Karen L. (Craig) Taylor of Goose Creek, S.C.; one grandson, Jamie W. Taylor of Monks Corner, S.C.; and one brother, Samuel (Glenda) Messina of Phoenix, Ariz.

MESSINA — Friends of James J. Messina, who died Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013, may call at the Joseph A. Tomon Jr. Funeral Home and Crematory, 97 Grim Ave., Ellport, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday.A Mass of Christian burial will be offered at the Holy Redeemer Church at 10 a.m. Saturday. Entombment will follow in Holy Redeemer Mausoleum.Full military rites will be offered by the Veteran's Honor Guard.