Peter Anthony Messina, Jr.

Peter Anthony Messina Jr. passed away unexpectedly at home. He is preceded in death by his parents, Irene Lagoda Messina and Peter Anthony Messina Sr., Father-in-law Timothy J. O’Brien, Mother-in-law Dorothy Hauser, Brother-In-Law William S. Klotz, and Sister-In-Law Kathy Messina.

Peter is survived by his beloved wife, Karen Messina, of 42 years, his beloved daughter Patty Shorey of Oriental, NC, and her husband Miles Shorey and grandsons Chase and Sawyer Shorey, his beloved daughter Tarrie Messina of Charlotte, NC, and his beloved daughter Anne Messina of Mastic, NY, and grandson Aaron Markhorst, his beloved son Corey Ryan Messina of Grantsboro, NC, and furbaby Izzy, his beloved sisters Santa Klotz of New Bern, NC, Ann Caselli of Havelock, NC, and beloved brother James Messina of Grantsboro, NC, beloved sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law  Carol O'Brien of Lynbrook, NY, Michael and Christine O'Brien of Northport, NY, Gail Hamel of Palm Harbor, FL, Dennis and Cathy Hamel of Sun City, FL, and many nieces and nephews.

Peter was born in Amityville, NY, raised in Massapequa, NY, and graduated from Massapequa High School. Growing up on Long Island, Peter found a love for music at a young age, was extremely gifted at playing the drums, and was indeed a rockstar. He had the opportunity to play with some famous bands in the 70s, but he was too humble to share those stories with most people. He moved to Pamlico County in 1981, where he found his love for hunting many games like dove, deer, and quail. He also enjoyed fishing and skeet shooting as hobbies. He worked as an aircraft sheet metal technician for NAPEP at MCAS Cherry Point until his retirement of 33 years.

Peter was a loving husband, father, father-in-law, grandpa, brother, uncle, and brother-in-law. He was always the funny dad, grandpa, or uncle with a joke, and he could make you smile and laugh each time you saw him. In addition, Peter loved spending time with his family, grandchildren, and friends. All his children and grandchildren enjoyed and appreciate his unique and quirky personality. He really was like no other.

He was also a lifelong Led Zeppelin fan. He truly loved music and singing karaoke. Peter left many great memories from the times he entertained his family, friends, and self-made fans at the Hard Tail Saloon, singing some of his favorite songs like “Have You Ever Seen The Rain." Many witnesses say that he sang it just as well as Creedence Clearwater Revival. The same can be said with the hit song “Born To Be Wild” by Steppenwolf, as he would rock it like he wrote it. His singing brought smiles and joy to those who heard him.

Peter also enjoyed watching sports; it was one of his passions, and he was a true diehard New York Mets fan, never missing a game. If you ran into him in passing, he was quick to ask hey did you catch the game, if not, he was filling you in on scores, new players, or an unbelievable sports moment or play that had to happen. He loved watching sports, especially baseball, with all his family, but most of all with his son and grandsons. Peter was an avid fan of the Carolina Hurricanes and Carolina Panthers too. He also loved going to cheer on and watch his grandsons play baseball.

Peter also had a passion for collecting things he loved which brought him great joy. Peter was extremely knowledgeable about politics, sports, current events, music, and the bible. If something was happening in current events, Peter was the one to fill you in and the one people went to ask him about current topics. He always had a smile and something new and exciting to share or talk about when seeing him. Many will greatly miss him for all the days to come.

A celebration of life is to be set later to celebrate Peter's life.