Richard Messina

New Lebanon – Richard Edward John Messina, 63, left El Jobean, Florida, at 10 pm, July 31, 2009, in the arms of Jesus.  Rich left behind his loving family – Darlene, his wife of 41 years, his daughter Susan and husband Larry, his son John Richard, his grandchildren Brittney, Matthew, Brandi (Jaymes), Jesse James, Rilyn, Cassie, his great-grandson Brayden, his sister Mary Ellen Giguere and husband Jerry, his brother Joseph Hallenbeck, his sister-in-law Claire Hallenbeck and many nieces and nephews, in-laws and very special friends Judi, Harold, “H”, Jimmy, Tony and Lynne.  His mom, Mildred, dad Myron, brothers Bill and Tom passed on before him.
Rich was a Brother of IBEW Local 724/236 Albany, NY, for 38 years.  From 1994 until December 2007, he proudly drove a bus for the New Lebanon School District and touched the hearts of children and their families by his caring nature.
Rich’s passion was his family. Together they enjoyed raising German shorthaired pointers, fishing, gardening and their many adventures with moving about the country.  Rich shared his knowledge of natural medicines and theories about life with everyone.  He was known for his love of conversation.  The Great Sadness in our lives was that he could not defeat the cancer that took him from us.
Having a strong personal relationship with God, Rich knew he was ready whenever God called his name.  One of Rich’s wishes was that everyone read The Shack, a novel by William Young.  Rich had hopes that others would find the special comfort and peace he found in this book.
When we watch the waves in the Gulf, smell a fragrant flower, pick a fresh tomato or pet a dog, we will know that “Rich/Dad/Papa” is always with us.  We will all wear his love as a smile upon our face.
Come spring, there will be a memorial service for Rich at the West Stephentown Baptist Church.