Philip J. Messina, of Concord, the beloved husband of Carol (Barre) Messina, died peacefully on Friday, November 15, 2024. He was 97.
Born in Milton on April 3, 1927, he was the son of the late Peter and Anna Messina. Phil was also predeceased by his sisters, Mary Johnston, Anne Tee, and Nancy Steele.
Phil was a proud Navy veteran of World War II. Following his military service, he led a career as a power mechanics educator and library media specialist in Lexington. Following retirement from his career in education, Phil started Diagnostic Computer Repair, a local business he ran for many years.
A passionate outdoors enthusiast, Phil was an avid mountain climber. He accomplished climbing all of the 100 highest mountains in New England, as well as several 14,000-footers in Colorado, Nepal, and Mount Rainier. He enjoyed memberships with the Appalachian Mountain Club, the National Audubon Society, and The Nature Conservancy.
In addition to his devoted wife, Carol, he leaves behind his children, Peter Messina (Donna), Cynthia Allred (Tom), James Messina (Barbara) and Paul Messina (Angela), along with 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Family and friends will celebrate his life during a period of visitation from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. on Saturday, November 23, in the Dee Funeral Home, 27 Bedford Street. Phil’s funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. in St. Bernard’s Church at Holy Family Parish, 12 Monument Square, Concord Center. Burial will follow with U.S. Navy military honors at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.
Concord’s town flag will fly at half-staff on November 23, 2024, in recognition of his honorable military service.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Phil’s honor may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Appalachian Mountain Club.
Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord. To share a remembrance or to offer a condolence in his online guestbook, visit DeeFuneralHome.com.
