Charley G. Messina Sr.

Charley G. Messina, Sr., 95, of Beaumont, Texas passed away Sunday, November 5, 2017, of natural causes. He was born on August 24, 1922, in Opelousas, Louisiana, to Francesca DiGiovanni Messina and Salvatore Carlo Messina. He retired at the age of 89 from the Catholic Diocese of Beaumont where he oversaw the construction and repairs to over 90 properties for the Diocese as their Construction Consultant. Prior to working for the Diocese, he owned his own business the Messina Manufacturing Company in Beaumont where he built twenty plus houses in the Beaumont area. He then started working for Mar-Len Construction where he developed the commercial construction department and built several commercial properties. After Mar-Len he then went to work for Merrill Construction and while there his most accomplishment was overseeing the construction of the Holy Family Life Center.

He is survived by his loving wife, Annette Ippolito Messina; his children, Sam C. Messina; Joseph V. Messina and wife, Sheri; Michael A. Messina and wife, Laurine; Frances M. Jones and husband, John; Charley G. Messina, Jr. and wife, June; Annette M. Leonard and husband, Dennis; and Stephen G. Messina and wife, Carey; grandchildren, Angela M. Woods and husband, Chris; Anthony P. Messina; Sean M. Jones and wife, Katherine; Justin C. Jones and wife, Lindsay; Taylor C. Jones; Katherine J. Bjorkman and husband, Reed; Casey V. Messina; Erica L. Messina; David M. Zantop and wife, Elizabeth; Lauren R. Prickett and husband, Gordon; Andrew J. Messina and wife, Katie; Patrick M. Messina; and Stephanie M. Messina; twenty great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.

He is preceded by his loving parents, Salvatore Carlo Messina and Francesca DiGiovanni Messina; brothers and sisters, Joe Messina and wife, Rose; Mary Cangalosa and husband, Max; Lena Ricotta and husband, Sam; Jenny Gennuso and husband, Sony; Lawrence Messina and wife, Torida; Anthony Messina and wife, Pauline; Pearl Cascio and husband, Lee; daughter-in-law, Thelma (DeeDee) Beall; two grandsons, Michael A. Messina, Jr. and John P. Messina; and several nieces and nephews.

During World War II, Charley joined the Navy, and because of his construction experience, he was assigned to a new branch of the Navy (at the time called the Sea Bees) as Chief Petty Officer. He was discharged in 1945.

Serving as pallbearers will be Anthony P. Messina, Sean M. Jones, David M. Zantop, Justin C. Jones, Taylor C. Jones, Andrew J. Messina, Patrick M. Messina, Anthony J. Messina. Honorary pallbearers will be Sal Gennuso, Joseph C. Messina, Joseph L. Cascio, Charles G. Fertitta, Joseph F. Fertitta, Donald P. Fertitta.

A gathering of Mr. Messina’s family and friends will be from 4:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, November 9, 2017, with a Rosary to be recited at 5:00 p.m., at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, November 10, 2017, at St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica, 700 Jefferson Street, Beaumont.  His interment will follow at Magnolia Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica, 700 Jefferson Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701, and St. Anne Catholic Church, 2715 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, Texas 77702, in the name of Charley G. Messina, Sr.