John J. Messer ’61

John J. Messer, West Hartford, CT, died December 10, 2023.

John grew up in Dorchester, MA, and spent summers at his family beach house in Scituate, MA. He graduated from Newman Prep in Boston, MA prior to college at Saint Michael’s where he majored in political science. He later served in the Air Force Reserves, receiving his honorable discharge from the Air Force in 1967.

After college, John moved to West Hartford, where he met his wife. They enjoyed family vacations with their daughters in Cape Cod and the Connecticut shoreline and shared many fond memories boating on the Connecticut River and Long Island Sound.

His professional career included years as a banker with Willimantic Savings Institute State-Chartered Savings and Loan Association. Before that he was an account manager with GF Office Furniture, specializing in sales to banking and financial markets, and earlier still, had several managerial positions with Society for Savings.

After retiring from banking, he and his wife moved to Old Lyme, CT, where they spent the last 20 years. During retirement they also found joy spending time with friends in Naples, FL, during the winter months. More than anything John loved spending time with his grandkids, whether it was watching their sporting events, attending their school functions, or just taking them out for ice cream.

John is survived by his wife of 55 years, Janice, two daughters, three brothers and extended family.