James A Messana

James A. Messana, 92, of North Tonawanda on August 9, 2023 after a brief illness.  Loving husband for 68 years of Joan E. (nee Kick) Messana.  Loving father of James L. Messana, Sharon M. (Peter) Malone, Joseph M. (Tracy) Messana, Samuel D. (Elayne) Messana, Mary Ann (Walter) Matyjas and Michael P. Messana.   Proud grandfather of James, Angelina, Brianna, Meghan (Emanuel), Rachel, Micayla (Ricky), Nikki (Albert), Samuel M., Gabrielle M., Christina, Jonathon, Vincent, Sora.  Great-grandchildren, Cameron, and Gianna.  Brother of Gloria (Joseph) Ettipio (Cannarozzo) and the late Joseph Messana, Rose (Anthony) Gelose (Tacca), Mary (Tony) Mazzara, Samuel (Stella) Messana, and Victor (Katherine) Messana.  Brother-in-law of Christine Messana.  Also survived by many nieces and nephews. 

Friends received by the family on Sunday 3:00 to 7:00 P.M. at the Brunner Funeral Home, 156 Robinson St, North Tonawanda.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Jude the Apostle Parish, 800 Niagara Falls Blvd., North Tonawanda on Monday morning at 10:00.  Entombment will be private at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. 

Jim started in life as a shoemaker at his father’s business, Hoyt Shoe Repair, later taking it over.  He worked at Landis Gas Station, learning many mechanical skills as well as many other places to support his growing family. 

In the early 1950’s, he started his career with the New York Telephone Company and retired in 1992.  He was the former Past Grand Knight of the Madonna Council Knights of Columbus 2535, Member of the Renaissance Club, North Tonawanda National Little League Baseball.

He was a loving family man and fantastic Papa who led with his Faith and the love of his family.  His relationship with his wife was the foundation for his children to emulate.  He was an old school man of his word. If it broke, he would fix it.  He was a first-class Buffalo Bills, Yankee and Buffalo Sabre Fan.  He will be sadly missed by all.  The family has requested that memorials, in lieu of flowers, be made to Niagara Hospice, Inc.