Edward Messal's Obituary
Edward Messal of Grand Island, FL passed away on March 28, 2010 in his 88th year. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Lavina (Dings) and his two daughters and son in laws, Dianne and Robert Harris of Clarksville, TN and Deborah Messal and David Kazdan of Toronto, Canada. It is not about the loss of life but the life that was lived. Born in Chicago, the fourth of five children, he was raised near Benton Harbor, MI. He served in World War II in the Army Air Corps. Mr. Messal owned a gas and oil business in Covert Michigan where he was Township Treasurer and Assistant Chief of the Fire Department for 15 years. Ed had a 20 year career in the paper box industry in Michigan and in 1967 he was Master of the Masonic Lodge in Watervliet. He was a partner in Smuggler’s Antique business and an avid collector of Royal Doulton. In 1980 they moved to West Palm Beach, Florida where they made their home for 20 years and were in property management and import transportation. His final retirement came at age 78 when he and Lavina moved to Grand Island, Florida and became a part of the Sunlake Estates Community. He was an avid card player and active in the community activities with many friends from his residence that was overlooking Lake Yale. He was a kind and gentle man with a big heart. He inspired others with his sense of fairness, ambitious drive, love of family and abundance of patience. He bravely faced his continuous health challenges over the past years. A memorial service will be held at 2:00PM, Saturday, April 17 at the Sunlake Estates Clubhouse. In lieu of flowers charitable donations can be made to a memorial fund: Edward Messal, at Suntrust Bank, 15375 US Highway 441, Eustis, FL 32726.
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