RICHARD H. MESSEMER
Brunswick: Richard H. “Rich” Messemer, 76, a lifelong resident of Brunswick, died peacefully, Friday, November 15, 2019, surrounded by his loving family following a short illness. Born July 25, 1943, on the family’s Brunswick farm, Rich was the son of the late Hermann and Bertha (Buck) Messemer and for over 32 years the husband of the late Joan (Rock) Messemer. Rich attended the Brunswick District #2 Brick Schoolhouse and later Tamarac High School. For over 30 years Rich was employed as a bus driver by the Brittonkill Central School District, retiring in the early 2000’s. He also was employed for over 20 years as a corrections officer at the Rensselaer County Jail in Troy, until retiring again in the early 2000’s. Rich also had a lifelong love of helping people and earned a LPN degree in 1998 at the age of 55, and was employed as a nurse at the former Atria Nursing Home in Cohoes for an additional 7 years, retiring for the third time in 2005. Rich was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church of the Greater Capital Region in Cohoes, and a member and past-president of the Pittstown Volunteer Emergency Corps. He was an avid attendee of flea markets and yard sales with his late wife and enjoyed spending time fishing, especially at the Tomhannock Reservoir. Rich is survived by his children, Richard (Melissa) Messemer of Rotterdam, Penny (Goran) Zeckanovich of Nashua, NH, Brenda Messemer of Brunswick, Randy (Ellen) Messemer of Clifton Park, and Scott (Sydney) Messemer of Denver, CO, two sisters, Linda (Dave) Mason of Southboro, MA, and Janice (the late Gary) Ford of Lancaster, MA, a sister-in-law, Irene Messemer of Troy, a special friend and companion, Brenda Wilkinson of Brunswick, several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by an older brother, the late John Messemer. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, November, 21, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. at the Howard B. Tate & Son Funeral Home Inc., 2237 NY Route 7, located in Raymertown. Burial will follow in Eagle Mills Cemetery in Brunswick. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the funeral home on Wednesday, November 20, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. At Rich’s strict request, memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to the Pittstown Volunteer Emergency Corps., 60 Parker School Road, Johnsonville, NY 12094 in memory of Richard H. Messemer.