Ralph Paul Messina

FORT WORTH-Ralph Paul Messina, 96, retired chemist, passed away Thursday, October 19, 2020.
GRAVESIDE SERVICE: 2 p.m. Tuesday, November 10th, 2020 at Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery, Lane 3.
Ralph was born in Naples Italy on November 15, 1923 to Dr. Vincent Messina and Margarita Paladino Messina. With his brother Nicholas and his sister Anna the Messina’s sailed on the S.S. Conte Rosso to the United States on July 3rd 1925. The family settled in E. Elmhurst, Queens NY.
Ralph majored in chemistry at St. John’s University. After the Second World War, Ralph returned to school earning his master’s degree.
Ralph enlisted into the United States Army on December 11th 1942, serving in the Bismarck Archipelago, New Guinea and Southern Philippines receiving the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal. The Philippines Liberation Ribbon and World War II Victory Metal and a Bronze Star.
After Ralph was honorably discharged from the Army on January 23rd 1946, he met and married his wife of 71 years, Josephine Amico Messina on May 7th 1949. Together they raised three sons Robert, Richard and Roger. Ralph worked at the Colgate Palmolive Company as a research Chemist until his retirement. Ralph proudly became a United States Citizen on November 24th 1961.
SURVIVORS: Wife, Josephine; sons, Robert, Richard and Roger.

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