Stephen L. Messina

Messina, Stephen L. Age 80, resident of Shelby Township, Michigan. Founder and Owner of Messina Trucking. He passed away on Sunday, November 30, 2014, at Beaumont Hospital, Troy, Michigan. He was born October 5, 1934 in Detroit, Michigan. Beloved husband for over 50 years of Florence. Loving father of Carolyn, Antonio "Nino", Anna Niedzwiecki, and Stephen. Proud grandfather of Kassaundra, Stephen, Alecia, Dominic, Anthony, Gino, and Alexa. Dear brother of Louis, Rose, and Salvatore "Sam" Messina. Family will receive friends at the Wm. Sullivan & Son Funeral Home, 8459 Hall Road 3 blks. E. of Van Dyke Utica, Thursday 5:00- 9:00 p.m. & Friday 1:00- 9:00 p.m. with Rosary Friday at 7:00 p.m. In state Saturday at 9:00 a.m. at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, 44633 Utica Rd., Utica South of M-59 until time of Mass at 10:00 a.m. Interment St. Lawrence Cemetery, Utica, Michigan. Memorials appreciated to Leader Dogs for the Blind, and the Lions Club - Bear Camp. Please share a memory at www.sullivanfuneraldirectors.com. Messina Trucking, Inc., traces its beginnings to the mid-1950's when the company's founder, Steve Messina, Sr. acquired a tandem international truck and drove on a contract basis for other trucking companies in the metropolitan Detroit area. With a brief respite when he was drafted in the wake of the Korean War after serving in the U.S. Army. He returned to dedicate himself to trucking. Soon, he had developed a solid reputation and the contracts kept coming. The amount of work dramatically expanded and he was no longer able to carry all of the loads himself. As a result, in 1965 Messina Trucking, Inc. was born. Steve was a loyal and dedicated to his local community as a business leader. He was engaged and participated as a member and trustee for the following Shelby Township Lions Club. He was an active member former president and received the Melvin Jones Award. Utica Community Schools Foundation for Educational Excellence Board member and past president. He was a member of the Sterling Heights Chamber of Commerce and also received the Lil Adams Award as well as the Citizen of the Year Award. He was a member of the Italian American Chamber, Italian Member Delegates, and board member for the Leader Dogs for the Blind. He was also involved in the Aggregate Carriers, President of Scalaways Golf Club, active supporter of Austin High School and Academy, DeLaSalle High School, volunteer for the Lions Club ~ Bear Camp. He was a very active and dedicated person for all. Written by his granddaughter, Alecia Niedzwiecki In my life I have many special people that I look up to and many people that have made a significant impact on my life. But the one person that has made the most impact on my life and that is special to me is my grandpa, Steve Messina. I look up to him in multiple different things. My grandpa is one of the strongest people I know and he always has an answer to anything and has gone through everything, good and bad throughout his life. Starting at a young age my grandpa worked hard. Although he did not attend college he worked hard enough and saved his money up in order to start his own business, Messina Trucking. At first he worked for himself until he made enough money to hire employees. On top of his own business he manages a golf course. He is also on the Utica Community School board, a member of the Leader Dogs for the Blind and The Lions Club. By him doing all of this but yet still managing to find time to spend with his family shows me how strong of a man and what a hard worker he really is. This impacted my life by him telling me to be a team player and to never give up and work till you reach your goals but to never forget the important things, like family. My grandpa is extremely dedicated. In most cases, a man his age would be retired and expecting people to be taking care of him but for him it is the total opposite. He is dedicated to his work and helping out the community in any way possible. he refuses to give up and quit. He is also one of the strongest men I know. Nothing ever gets in the way of anything he does. Even when he had heart surgery he came out stronger than ever and still went on with his life like usual. Two summers ago my grandfather took my aunt, my cousin, and I to Italy to visit our relatives. He left his business at home with his three kids trusting them to handle everything for the time he was gone with us. On this trip, it showed me how much family really meant to him. He still manages to keep in touch with his relatives in Italy even with his crazy life at home. It showed me how important his values in life are and his dedication he has for life itself. He also showed me a different way of life while we were down there and taught me how lucky I am and how I should appreciate the things I have in life. I am a stronger, more independent and appreciative person because of the things he has shown and taught me. I have learned from him that in order to reach your goals you need to work hard and never give up. He taught me that not everyone is as fortunate as we are and that you should help the people in need as much as you can. No matter where life takes you, you should always stick with your family and support each other in everything.

Stephen L. Messina

October 5, 1934 - November 30, 2014