1929
James
2021
James F. Messer
July 30, 1929 — December 6, 2021
Obituary
James F. Messer, 92, passed away December 6, 2021 at Baystate Medical Center. Born in Pittsfield, July 30, 1929, the son of the late Gerald F. and Agnes (Leavy) Messer. Jim moved to West Springfield at a young age, attended local schools and was a graduate of West Springfield High School class of 1948. Upon graduation, he served in the US Navy, then the Naval Reserve until 1955. During this time he worked at the family business, West Springfield Appliance. In 1953 he joined the West Springfield Fire Department, retiring in 1981 as a Deputy Fire Chief. One of the founders of the Massachusetts State Fire Prevention Assn. in 1973, he worked his way through the ranks to become its President in 1979. In 1974 he helped to establish the Fire Prevention Bureau within the local fire department and served as its Chief Officer. That same year, he helped establish the Western Mass Fire Prevention Assn and was very active in fire prevention activities throughout the state. He was a communicant of St Thomas Church, the AARP, Ramapogue Historical Society, K of C Unity Council 2212, Life Member of DAV, Permanent Firemen’s Relief Assn, Mass Fire Prevention, West Springfield Square Dance Club, retired State, County and Municipal Employees, and the West Springfield Fireman’s Relief Assn. He leaves his loving wife of 70 years, Joan (Delaney) Messer, his beloved sons, James F. Jr. and his wife Mary of London England, John P. and his wife Laurie of West Springfield, Jeffrey A. and his wife Dianne of New Smyrna Beach, FL, Jay R. and his wife Sheila of Santa Rosa, CA and Joseph M. and his wife Kathy of Orleans, MA, his beloved grandchildren, Angie, Evan, Marisa, Deena, Jason, Sara, Gregory, Blaze, Douglas, Jennifer and Joshua, and his loving great-grandchildren, Christopher, Chase, Cali, Caster, Callan, Rylee, Mallory, Lucy, Zephyra, Zakai and his beloved great-great-granddaughter, Olivia. Jim’s funeral mass will be held Monday at 10 AM from the St. Thomas Church with burial to follow in the parish cemetery. Calling hours are Sunday 1-4PM at the Toomey-O’Brien Funeral Home, 1043 Westfield St, West Springfield. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the West Springfield Fireman’s Relief Assn., 44 Van Deene Ave., West Springfield, MA 01089.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of James F. Messer, please visit our floral store.
James F. Messer, 92, passed away December 6, 2021 at Baystate Medical Center. Born in Pittsfield, July 30, 1929, the son of the late Gerald F. and Agnes (Leavy) Messer. Jim moved to West Springfield at a young age, attended local schools and was a graduate of West Springfield High School class of 1948. Upon graduation, he served in the US Navy, then the Naval Reserve until 1955. During this time he worked at the family business, West Springfield Appliance. In 1953 he joined the West Springfield Fire Department, retiring in 1981 as a Deputy Fire Chief. One of the founders of the Massachusetts State Fire Prevention Assn. in 1973, he worked his way through the ranks to become its President in 1979. In 1974 he helped to establish the Fire Prevention Bureau within the local fire department and served as its Chief Officer. That same year, he helped establish the Western Mass Fire Prevention Assn and was very active in fire prevention activities throughout the state. He was a communicant of St Thomas Church, the AARP, Ramapogue Historical Society, K of C Unity Council 2212, Life Member of DAV, Permanent Firemen’s Relief Assn, Mass Fire Prevention, West Springfield Square Dance Club, retired State, County and Municipal Employees, and the West Springfield Fireman’s Relief Assn. He leaves his loving wife of 70 years, Joan (Delaney) Messer, his beloved sons, James F. Jr. and his wife Mary of London England, John P. and his wife Laurie of West Springfield, Jeffrey A. and his wife Dianne of New Smyrna Beach, FL, Jay R. and his wife Sheila of Santa Rosa, CA and Joseph M. and his wife Kathy of Orleans, MA, his beloved grandchildren, Angie, Evan, Marisa, Deena, Jason, Sara, Gregory, Blaze, Douglas, Jennifer and Joshua, and his loving great-grandchildren, Christopher, Chase, Cali, Caster, Callan, Rylee, Mallory, Lucy, Zephyra, Zakai and his beloved great-great-granddaughter, Olivia. Jim’s funeral mass will be held Monday at 10 AM from the St. Thomas Church with burial to follow in the parish cemetery. Calling hours are Sunday 1-4PM at the Toomey-O’Brien Funeral Home, 1043 Westfield St, West Springfield. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the West Springfield Fireman’s Relief Assn., 44 Van Deene Ave., West Springfield, MA 01089.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of James F. Messer, please visit our floral store.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James F. Messer, please visit our flower store.
Guestbook
Visits: 0
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors