DOMINICK JOSEPH MESSINA. age 97, died Friday, July 13, 2018 in Petoskey, Michigan. He was born June 26, 1921 in Detroit, Michigan, to the late Antonio and Josepphina (Spicuzzi) Messina.
He was a longtime resident of Macomb County, and for the past 25 years, resided with his wife, Barbara, in Boyne City, Michigan. Mr. Messina was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and brother. He is survived by his loving wife Barbara (Brown) of 42 years; children: Russell (Paula), Deborah (Daniel) Raubinger, Michael, Mark (John White); Dan (Paula) Barron, John Barron, and Cheryl (Bruce) Murray; grandchildren: Matthew (Sandra) Raubinger, Sarah (Ross) Pursifull, Michael (Tiffany) Gallucci, Ashley Fallah, Danielle Barron, and Jake Murray; great-grandchildren: Benjamin Raubinger, Christopher and Austin Johnson; sisters and brothers in-law: Pat (Brown) and Todd Sorenson, and George and Linda Brown.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Messina was pre-deceased by his aunt Marie (Messina) and uncle Rosario Figlioli who raised him with their children as their son; brother Joseph (Pearl) Figlioli, and sister Mary (Sam) Lupo. Mr. Messina attended high school and graduated from Henry Ford Trade School (Ford Apprentice School) as a Tool and Die Maker in 1940. Upon graduation he worked for Ford Motor Company.
When the U.S. entered World War II he initially supported the war effort as a tool and die maker for the B-24 Bomber produced at Willow Run, and later entered active duty with the U.S. Navy, served in the Pacific, and was honorably discharged in 1946. He returned to Ford Motor until 1949 when he went to work for the U.S. Army at the Detroit Arsenal in Warren, Michigan. He began as a Machinist and Die maker and was promoted to supervisory roles with increasingly more responsible duties until he retired as an Industrial Specialist after 35 years of service.
Mr. Messina was a fan of Tiger baseball, Red Wing hockey, professional tennis and golf. He was a lifelong athlete, playing ice hockey and baseball at Belle Isle as a boy. As an adult, he loved baseball, bowling, golf, racquetball, and tennis.
He began playing tennis at 70 and continued playing doubles until age 95. In the early years living in Roseville he taught his sons and daughter to play baseball, and coached Russ’ St. Angela Catholic Church midget league baseball team to a play-off championship. Dominick and Barbara loved to travel, had a winter home in Florida, and summer home in Boyne City for many years where they had many friends and family.
Upon retirement, he and Barbara made Boyne City their home. A private memorial service will be held at Stackus Funeral Home Memorial Tributes in lieu of flowers may be made in Mr. Messina’s name to the following charities: Charlevoix Area Humane Society, 614 Beardlsey Street, Boyne City, MI 49712; or the Salvation Army Petoskey Area, 721 Pleasant Street, Petoskey, MI 49770. Donations may be made to: Charlevoix County Humane Society 614 Beardsley Street, Boyne City MI 49712 Tel: 1-231-582-6774 Web: www.
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