In loving memory of Phillip Messina - Obituary Baldwin Brothers

Obituary

Phillip Messina, a loving husband, father, son, and brother, passed away on Saturday, April 13th, in Fort Myers, Florida. He was born on November 30th, 1954, in Rockford, Illinois, the son of Peter and Mary (Peters) Messina. Phil attended St. Bernadette’s Catholic School and graduated from Boylan Catholic High School in 1972. Upon graduation, he worked for Rockford Public School District as a building engineer for over 30 years. He also held a second job doing home remodeling with a business partner and was an avid seller of collection items on eBay.

Phil’s childhood was filled with memories of his family and playing outdoors with his friends. Growing up in Tullock’s Woods in Rockford, he spent his summer days riding his bike with the family dog, Cookie, running beside him. He spent lots of time with his cousins and helping his father, Pete, with yard work, house repairs, and washing the cars on the weekend. Phil and his father also shared a love for boating and fishing, with their most cherished trips being to Marco Island, Florida, St. Germain, Wisconsin, and Apple Canyon Lake, Illinois. His bond with his grandfather, Phillip Messina “Nanu,” was also a significant part of his life. Phil and his Mom, Mary, shared an immeasurable bond, especially while living next door to each other for 30 years.

In the summer of 1981, Phil was set up on a blind date by his friends and met the love of his life, Tina (Armato) Messina. They were married at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Rockford on November 13th, 1982. Immediately after moving to their home in Settler’s Park in Rockford in May of 1986, Phil and Tina welcomed their son, Phillip (Pookie) Messina. Despite Pookie’s illness with Muscular Dystrophy, they shared many happy times together, such as Pookie’s trip through Make a Wish Foundation to California, celebrating birthdays and holidays, and taking trips in their motor home to Minnesota and Florida. Pookie passed away in January of 2005.

Despite the heartache of their son’s poor health and eventually his passing, Phil and Tina spent almost 42 years of marriage hosting friends and family for various occasions and going to restaurants and events in Rockford. In 2016, they moved to Lehigh Acres, Florida, where they continued to build the last chapter of their lives together. Throughout that time, they created more memories with family and friends who also resided there and happily hosted those who visited. Memorable trips they took together were their honeymoon in Marco Island, Boston in 1984, and several other trips and cruises. Special memories were created in the last few years as members of the Freedom Boat Club in Florida.

Phil had many talents in woodworking, building, and remodeling and maintained a significant hobby in collecting and selling antiques, managing several booths at the Rockford Antique Mall. He was loved and admired for his will and determination to keep going despite his severe heart disease.

Phil is survived by his wife Tina, sister Marianne Musso, sisters-in-law Nancy Locascio and Joy Snyder, several nieces and nephews, and many beloved cousins. He was predeceased by his son, Pookie, parents Peter and Mary Messina, brother-in-law Vincent Locascio, father-in-law Louie Armato, and mother-in-law, Delores Armato.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date in Rockford, Illinois.