Joseph 'Joe' Messina

Joseph ("Joe the Neighbor") Messina, of Kankakee, died on October 23rd in his home after an eight month battle with cancer, surrounded by family and close friends. He is survived by his wife, Beverly 'nee Klein', whom he married on November 21st, 1981 in Las Vegas, his daughters Lauren and Kayle, his mother Lillian Gerace, his brother Mike, sister Diane, and nephews Michael and Thomas Messina. He was preceded in death by his father, Michael Messina, his stepfather Benjamin Gerace, and his brothers Tommy, Stanley, and Albert.

Joe was a self-employed entrepreneur whose past ventures included owning an antique store with his wife and running the Kankakee restaurant Edgewater with his brother Mike. He was currently a property manager involved in house and property restoration. He served in the army as a military police officer from 1972-1974 and was based in Mannheim, Germany.

He enjoyed fishing, old car restoration, antique planes, jeep excursions with his wife and friends, the outdoors, road trips with his daughters, throwing his yearly Fourth of July party, the solitude of mowing the lawn, and a good cocktail.

He will be remembered as an adventurous soul who loved engaging with others, a loving and caring partner and husband, and a father who taught his daughters to seize the moment, as there's no time like the present. His stories, conversation and laughter will be missed by all who knew and interacted with him.

A time of gathering for friends and family will be held on Saturday, October 27, 2012, at the Schreffler Life Story Funeral Home's Kankakee Chapel,1900 W. Court Street, from 12:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. Joe's funeral service will be held immediately following the memorial at 3:00 p.m., also at the funeral home. Please visit www.schrefflerfuneralhomes.com where you can learn more about Joe's life, share a memory or photo and sign the online guestbook.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Kankakee Valley or for the family's wishes.