James E. Messina, 91
Dateline: Sharon, MA
James E. Messina, age 91, a former fifty-four-year resident of Sharon, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, March 26, 2026. He was the beloved husband of Karin P. (Peterson) Messina, to whom he was wed on April 12, 1958.
Born in Boston, MA on June 19, 1934, he was a loving son of the late Saverio and Ernesta (Reale) Messina.
Jim grew up in the West Roxbury and Roslindale neighborhoods of Boston and was a 1952 graduate of Boston Latin High School. He continued his education, receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in History from Harvard College in 1956 and a Master’s Degree in Education from Boston College.
Mr. Messina retired following a career as a foreign language teacher that spanned thirty-seven in the Dedham Public School System. He taught the subjects of French, Spanish and German and served as a former class advisor, as well as a former president of the Dedham Teachers Association.
Jim loved times spent amongst family and friends and a passion for music, which he shared with his wife Karin. He demonstrated his musical talents as a violinist with the Brockton Symphony Orchestra. Jim had previously served as a member of the Army National Guard.
Jim also had a knack for sports and was a huge fan of the Boston Red Sox and Boston Celtics. He was also an avid golfer, a longtime member of the Walpole Country Club and when younger, worked at Fenway Park during the thrilling era of Ted Williams.
In addition to his beloved wife of nearly sixty-eight years, he is survived by his devoted children, Katherine M. Messina of Northampton, James A. Messina and his wife Suzanne of Cary, North Carolina and Stephen R. Messina of Quincy. He was the cherished grandfather of Caitlin Messina, Stephanie Messina and the late Brian Messina. He was the dear brother of the late Ernest Messina, the much-loved brother-in-law of Rev. Henry Roberts of Lawrence, Kansas and his late wife Kerstin Roberts and is also survived by his loving nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend visiting hours on Friday, April 10th from 6:00-8:00 P.M. at the Sherman & Jackson Funeral Home, 55 North Main Street, Mansfield.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, April 11th at 11:00 A.M. in Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 59 Cottage Street in Sharon. Burial will follow at the Rock Ridge Cemetery in Sharon.
Those wishing may remember James with a donation in his memory made to the Brockton Symphony Orchestra, P.O. Box 1407, Brockton, MA 02303-1407.
To send his family a message of condolence, please visit www.shermanjackson.com