NORMAN JOSEPH MESSIER, JR., Eustis, Fl. went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Friday, January 8, 2016. He was born in Putnam, Connecticut on March 31, 1940 and graduated from Putnam High School. He has been married to his high school sweetheart for 57 years.

He was a Correctional Officer with the Connecticut Department of Corrections in both Somers and Brooklyn, CT for 20 years, retiring in 1986 with the rank of Lieutenant. His passion over the years was raising, training and racing Standardbred race horses and in more recent years raising and racing homing pigeons in Florida, where he has lived since retirement.

After his experience in 1991 of attending the "Walk to Emmaus", a program designed to build church leadership, he developed a heart for missions and served on numerous medical/construction/and Emmaus start-up teams in both Cuba and Guatemala. The highlight of his life was his trip to the Holy Land.

He is the son of Norman J. Messier, Sr. and Catherine Blake Messier. He is survived by his wife Judith Nielsen Messier; sons: Norman J. III and wife Robin of Sherrills Ford, NC; Gregory Wayne and wife Renee of Dayville, CT; Michael Scott and wife Donna of Woodstock, CT, grandchildren: Dana of Sarasota, FL, Jessica of Holyoke, MA, and Rebecca of Woodstock, CT; sisters: Norma Enright of St. Petersburg, FL, and Jeanne Blair of Winter Garden, FL. He was predeceased by sisters Joyce and Carol.

A home-going service will be held at First Baptist Church of Mount Dora, 1000 E. 1st Avenue, Mount Dora, FL on Saturday, January 23rd at 2:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to "Life Choices", Eustis, FL or "Lake Cares Food Pantry", Mount Dora, FL.