The Reverend Michael F. Messina, Jr.

The Reverend Michael F Messina Jr + passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on May 4, 2025.  Fr. Mike was born on March 18, 1943 in Duluth Minnesota.  He is preceded in death by his father and mother Michael F. Messina and Anna (Verva) Messina, his brothers John Messina (Karen) and Dominic “Dobby” Messina (Diane).

He is survived by his wife of 51 years Sandy (Flyckt) Messina, daughter Kari Messina Haynes (Michael), grandchildren Jacob, Caleb, and Zachariah Haynes, Jennifer Adams, Jeremy Goulet, Samantha Goulet, Sarah Baum, Tyler Flora, Kallie Lewter, Max Shantry and Bailey Harwood and 15 great grandchildren.  He is also survived by his brother Richard (Cathy) Messina and his sister Michele Herbst.

Fr. Mike attended Denfield High School in Duluth, Minnesota.  After high school he proudly served in the United States Air Force in Viet Nam.  After serving in the Air Force he attended Lake Superior College where he received his AA degree in Computer Science.  He worked in banking as a VP of Computer Operations for many years.  Fr. Mike was ordained a Deacon on August 5, 1987 and ordained a Priest on August 24, 1988 into the Episcopal Church.  Fr. Mike had a passion for feeding people.  He started in his first feeding ministry at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Las Cruces NM.  That ministry has grown above and beyond what he ever expected.  During his ministry in Florida he started the Episcopal Church of the Advent of Ocala FL.  On February 2, 1997 he was called to be the Pastor of St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church here in Ocala FL.  While serving at St Patrick’s Fr Mike brought in the Emotionally Free Healing Ministry, this healing ministry took him to Klerksdorp South Africa, Tanzania Africa and Christchurch, New Zealand.  He started Gateway To Hope Ministries soup kitchen and food bank at St. Patrick’s.  They are still feeding thousands of people in the community. He served faithfully for 18 years as the Pastor of St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church.

Fr. Mike will be greatly missed by those who knew him and loved him.  In lieu of flowers and gifts we would ask that you make a donation to Gateway To Hope Ministries in his honor.  The website is: gatewaytohopeministries.com