Thursday, July 23, 2009

John Messina

I received word that John Messina, former Phoenixville Borough Council President, passed away last night.

Our deep condolences to his family.

1 comment:

Karen said...

http://pottsmerc.com/articles/2009/07/25/obituaries/srv0000005935032.txt

John A. Messina, 62, Phoenixville civic leader
Saturday, July 25, 2009


John A. Messina, 62, husband of Betsy, of Phoenixville, died Thursday, July 23, 2009, at Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia.

Born in Philadelphia, he was the son of the late Vito Messina and Marianne (Pirrotta) Messina.

Mr. Messina graduated from St. Thomas Moore High School in 1965 and from St. Joseph's College, now St. Joseph's University, in 1974.

He moved to the Phoenixville area in 1988 from Medina, Ohio. He was president of Grandview Medical Research Inc. of Sellersville. He was a retiree of Glaxo Smith Kline after 25 years in pharmaceutical clinical research.

John was an active community leader serving in various elected and appointed positions in the Phoenixville community.

He served on the board of the Phoenixville Community Health Foundation, Phoenixville Borough Council (2000-2008), Phoenixville Planning Committee (1996-2008), and the Democratic Committee of Chester County.

His legacy of leadership is evident in downtown Phoenixville and the revitalization projects he was instrumental in facilitating such as the Phoenixville Plaza, Phoenixville Steel Site, Gateway Building, Streetscape Committee, One Bridge Plaza, Iron Hill, The Ledges. He was also a founding board member of the Main Street Program.

In addition to his wife and mother, he is survived by three children, Stephanie N. Messina of Phoenixville, Shannon L. Messina of Philadelphia, and David J. Messina, companion of Shannon Bruno of Royersford; three step-daughters, Cynthia L. Roach of Phoenixville, Amanda Q. Roach of Howell, N.J., and Sara E. Snyder of Millersville; one sister, Teresa A. Messina of Royersford and one brother, Richard T. Messina of California; and one grandson, Matthew D. Messina.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral service at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 121 Church St., Phoenixville on Tuesday, July 28, 2009 at 11 a.m., where Father Jim Evans will officiate. Burial will follow immediately in the Limerick Garden of Memories, Limerick. Visitation will be on Monday, July 27, 2009 at the Shalkop Grace & Strunk Funeral Home, Bridge & Church streets, Spring City, from 6-9 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his memory to the American Lung Association, 1301 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC, 20004 or to the Phoenixville Area Positive Alternative (PAPA), 400 Franklin Ave., Suite 224, Phoenixville, PA 19460.

Online condolences are available at sgsfuneralhome.com