Obituary of Donald R. Messina

July 17, 2023, at age 88. He is survived by his brother Harry (Linda), his nephews Paul (Elaine), Michael (Alice) and niece Dr. Andrea (Hugh) Messina-Neeson, several grand nephews, and nieces, cousins, neighbors, many students, and many good friends.

Don was a dedicated teacher of Social Studies, English, and mainly Driver Education for well over 50 years; first at West Irondequoit, then Gates Chili, later at Aquinas Institute and finally as a tutor at West Irondequoit. In addition, he did freelance writing, advertising, and photography, plus work as a representative for Windjammer “Barefoot” cruises. Don was an avid sailor and a member of the Genesee Yacht Club.

Don was most fulfilled as a Sunday Eucharistic Minister volunteer at Rochester General Hospital and, since 2003, in both creating the St. Andrew’s Music Series and conducting and recording many classical music concerts with Eastman students in St. Andrew’s Chamber Orchestra.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11 am on Saturday, July 29, 2023, at Church of the Annunciation, 1745 Norton St., Rochester, NY 14609. There will be one hour of viewing and prayers at the Church beginning at 10 am. In lieu of flowers, Don wished that donation be given in his memory to the Don Messina Scholarships, administered by the Rochester Children’s Scholarship Fund which assists high achieving inner city high school youths. THE ROCHESTER CHILDREN’S SCHOLARSHIP FUND, 131 W. Broad Street Rochester, NY 14614. Entombment will be at the convenience of the family at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.