Sebastian (Ned) J Messina, with his family by his side, Ned Messina, 100, a remarkable man who touched the lives of many, passed away peacefully on August 17th, 2023, at Hannah Duston Healthcare Center in Haverhill, MA. Born on January 5th, 1923, to the late Salvatore & Maria (Giacona). He lived an extraordinary, full, independent life up until the very end. Ned grew up in Lawrence MA with his brothers; Alfred, Santo (both deceased) and Joseph Messina. He enlisted in the US Army in 1942 and served as an Aerial Engineer for the 499th Service Squadron as Staff Sargent and received an honorable discharge in 1945. He married the love of his life, Regina LaCasse, in 1947 and were together for 69 years before her passing in August of 2016. Together they raised 6 children in Andover, Ma. Ned worked in the family run business, Columbia Auto Seat Covers, established in 1937 manufacturing seat covers and furniture upholstery. Through the years he grew the business to include the interior restoration of antique cars and contract work that included work on the Patriot Shelters. Today the business, renamed Columbia ASC, has grown to include manufacturing of military products. The business is run by his son, Sal Messina, daughter, Cookie Reilly-Cochran, Grandson Matt Messina and Granddaughter Laura Reilly and employs a number of dedicated employees. Ned was very passionate and hard-working. He loved restoring interiors of antique cars. He had the privilege of restoring the interior of President Woodrow Wilson’s automobile. Customers from all over the US would seek him out for his exceptional talent. As a result, he developed a lot of meaningful friendships that carried him through the years. Ned continued restoring cars for many years after retiring from Columbia at his home in Dunedin Florida. During the 1970’s Ned traveled to Sicily to meet his sisters, Angelina & Santina (both deceased), for the first time. He also reunited with his Aunt Mary & Aunt Grace (both deceased) and many cousins. Over the next 48 years, each summer, he would travel to Sicily to visit the extended family. He developed a deep loving bond with all of them and he will be dearly missed. Ned was a truly great man whose impact will be forever felt by his family & friends that loves him. Family meant everything to him, and his love was abundant. His ability to sacrifice, provide, support, forgive and love will be forever engrained in all he knew. He was a selfless man whose passing will leave an aching gap in the hearts of his loved ones. He was predeceased by his wife Regina, his sons Joseph J Messina and Alfred C Messina and his granddaughter Andrea Messina. Ned is survived by his brother Joseph Messina, daughters; Brenda (Jakob) Staub, Cookie (Will) Reilly-Cochran, Judy (Jack) Elliott and Son Sal (Jessica) Messina. Grandchildren; Sarah, Laura, Michael, Roberta, Carolyn, Allie, Matt, Morgan, Alex, Caitlin, Nikos and Joel. 9 Great Grandchildren, a Great Great Grandchild, many nieces and nephews and his dear friend Lynn Steuernagle. We would like to thank the staff at Hannah Duston for their kindness and care during his final days and his long-time caregivers Rosy Diaz and Pete Cartier for their compassion and love.
Family and friends are invited to attend visiting hours on Thursday, August 24, 2023, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Burke-Magliozzi Funeral Home, 390 N. Main St., Andover. Online condolences may be shared at www.burkemagliozzi.com.