Frank Messenger

After 83 years of bringing joy and dedication to all that he did, Frank Mullare Messenger of Elizabeth, Colo., has passed away due to heart failure (April 25, 1942 to Oct. 19, 2025). His joyful spirit and 60-year teaching legacy will live on in the generations of children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and area youth he taught, coached and umpired. Over that career, he taught and coached at over a dozen schools that dot the Colorado landscape.

Frank was regarded for his determined work ethic. He called balls and strikes as an accomplished umpire, and he taught life’s lessons in classrooms and on ballfields. His compassion impacted coaching and education around Denver and surrounding areas since the 1960s, including 25-plus years dedicated to a summertime passion leading the Colorado Academy Day Camp.

In the classroom, his versatility was reflected by teaching at elementary, middle school and high school levels. Specifically, he spent over 30 years in the Elizabeth School District – primarily in the middle school, including a stint as assistant principal mentoring young teachers.

His efforts were awarded with numerous teaching awards and hall of fame distinction for coaching and umpiring by the Colorado Dugout Club Coaches Association, the Colorado High School Baseball Umpires Association and the Denver Metro League.

He was born the son of Frank and Elizabeth Messenger, and the grandson of Bertha Mullare (known affectionately as "Uh-huh"). He was a product of Denver's historic Park Hill neighborhood, and both Regis High School (1960) and Regis College (1964). Professionally, he was revered as both Coach and Mr. Messenger. When he began his own family, he became known as Dad, Granddad, Gramps and G-pa.

Frank married Sandra Harder in 1964 while his teaching and coaching career took root. He remarried in 1986, to join teaching colleague Nancy Winkle in a devoted union that spanned four decades. The fruits and joys of their 40-year union are reflected in families spread between Colorado (mostly in South Denver and Elbert County), Idaho, Indiana, Missouri and Wisconsin.

He is survived by wife Nancy, siblings Tom Messenger and Nannette Colaizzi; and five children: Kevin Messenger, Tony Messenger (Marla), Scott Winkle (Betty), Stacy Tabor (Scott) and Julea Carothers (Rick).

His family includes 14 grandchildren: Brad (Melanie), Cristal (Steve), Andrew (Stephanie), Alisha, Kyler (Ellanore) and Bethany; Samantha (Ryland), Brewer (Sidney), Spencer (Bel) and Briggs (Madi); Drew (Celeste); Kaylea (Zac), Ashlea (Travis) and Bailea.

The Messenger family boasts 14 great-grandchildren: Alysah, Leah and Ava; Emilio, Alejandro, Adrian and Julian; Emma, Maggie and Olivia; Sienna and Victoria; Caro and most recently his littlest buddy, Rowan.

Frank was preceded in death by two daughters, Pam, and Karen, who died as a newborn.

A driving motivator throughout his engaging, impactful life was a strict devotion to his faith and Catholic ideals. Traditional services at Ave Maria Catholic Church in Parker (9056 E Parker Rd) will celebrate his life on Tuesday, Oct. 28. A prayer rosary will be held at 10:30 a.m., followed by Mass at 11 a.m., and a reception immediately after. A family burial service will take place at Elizabeth Cemetery later in the afternoon.

In lieu of flowers, tax-deductible donations are encouraged to benefit the Samaritan House Homeless Shelter, a division of Catholic Charities that has been supported by generations of the Messenger family. As an umpire, Frank devoted selfless hours to the former "Homeless Diamond" project in Denver that provided healthy, rewarding activity to homeless men and women of all ages. Memorial donations may be made in the name of Frank Messenger by clicking this link: https://ccdenver.org/donate/#giveonce. Donors may select a program or ministry of their choice, and click "Dedicate This Gift" to enter Frank Messenger's name as the honoree. The Messenger Family thanks you