Rosario Messina, former Valley Stream deputy mayor, dies at 90

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Rosario “Ross” Messina, a former Hempstead Town deputy commissioner and deputy mayor for the Village of Valley Stream died peacefully at home in Scottsdale, Ariz., on March 8. He was 90.

Known for his sharp wit and neatly fixed bow tie, Messina served on the village board from 1984 to 1992. He was also a founding member of the Italian-American Civic Association in Valley Stream, and an usher at Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic Church.

Former Mayor John DeGrace said Messina was a dedicated public servant who “brought a lot of personal and business experience to the job.” Messina had a long career in the insurance and travel agency industry.

“I don’t think I ever saw Ross in business attire,” DeGrace said. “He always wore a bow tie and he was always impeccably dressed.”

DeGrace credited Messina with helping create the village’s recycling program in the mid-1980s — similar to the one that still operates today.

“He was a real family man — as well as a very community-minded person,” DeGrace said. “So, Ross was a true asset to the Village of Valley Stream.”

William Florio, a former chairman of the Board of Zoning and Appeals, said he bonded with Messina during their time with the Italian-American Civic Association, and was struck by the scope of his knowledge.

“Ross was most likely the most intelligent man I’ve ever known in my life,” Florio said, adding that his friend loved to quote the Roman myth of Romulus and Remus, which details the founding of the ancient city of Rome — a nod to his Italian roots.

Florio also recalled that Messina was an enthusiastic collector of grandfather clocks, and would often volunteer little-known facts about their construction. He moved to Scottsdale from Malverne, where he remained active in the Italian-American civic groups, about a year and a half ago.

He is survived by three daughters, Gerri Doddato, Maria Messina and Rosalba Messina (Nancie March); and his two grandchildren, Lauren (Frederick) Goldman and Stephen (Lindsey) Doddato. His wife, Giovanna, his daughter Gabriella and his son-in-law Frank A. Doddato preceded Messina in death.

“We were both deputy mayors at different times,” said Jack Sharkey, who served on the village board from 1987 through 1990. “So we compared stories, so to speak.”

“He was a beautiful man with a beautiful family that cared very much about the community,” Sharkey said.