Joseph Anthony Messina Jr.

Mr. Joseph Anthony Messina Jr., age 74, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 09, 2015. He was born and raised in, what Mr. Joe Messina referred to as, “the greatest city in the world, New Orleans”. Mr. Messina was the eldest son of the late Mr. Joseph Anthony Messina, Sr. and the Late Mrs. Anna, "Annabell" McCrossen Messina, both of New Orleans. His heart was his family, especially his two children, who loved and adored their father; his daughter, Toni Messina Hartman, residing in Baton Rouge and his son, Joseph Anthony Messina, III, residing in Benicia, CA and former husband of Julia Dupre. Mr. Joe Messina was extremely proud of and he dearly loved his grandchildren; Brooke, Matthew and Blake Hartman all of Baton Rouge and Annabella Messina, of Benicia CA, step grandchildren Riley and Conner McCracken of Benicia, CA and Great grandson Cruz, of Baton Rouge. Mr. Joseph Messina, Jr. was the oldest of a loving, big, and very close family of nine siblings, all from the Irish Channel. He will be greatly missed by his brother, Russel Messina (Iole), sisters Paulette Fenger (Charlie), Pattie Reeves (Paul), Anna Bordelon, Brigid Dufrene (Hotsey), Judy Bourg (Gerald), brother, Mike Messina (Vicki) and baby sister Belinda Pollack (Ernie). Mr. Joe Messina was a longtime owner/driver with United Cabs as well as Board of Director, President, Vice President, Safety Director and many other positions over his years with this company that he believed in for so long. He will be deeply missed by his United Cab family. Mr. Joe was passionate about the city of New Orleans. He loved eating with family and friends at his favorite New Orleans restaurants, he enjoyed the festivals, especially Jazz fest, he loved the parades, the French Quarter and Magazine Street, where he and his former wife, Julia, owned a hair salon in the 60’s and 70’s, Spanish Villa. He was a member of the Masons, and also loved boxing and spent many years coaching boxing. But more than anything, he loved the people of New Orleans. His children, Toni and Joe, would like to thank their Dad’s brothers and sisters who helped care for their father since they were not living in New Orleans. They want to especially thank his brothers, Russel and Mike for their care, compassion and weekly lunches. Mr. Joseph Messina, Jr. will be very deeply missed but he will be forever and ever remembered by all that knew and loved him. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the Visitation at Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home, 4747 Veterans Blvd. in Metairie on Monday, November 16, 2015 at 11:00 - 1:00 followed by a Funeral Mass at 1:00. Interment will take place at a later date. An online guestbook is available at www.leitzeaganfuneralhome.com.