Norman Messier

Norman R. Messier, age 76, of Sherburne Place, passed away at St. Johnsbury Health & Rehab Center on Thursday, December 17, 2015, following a period of declining health... with his family beside him. Norman was born in Enosburg, VT, on May 11, 1939, only child to the late Carl Gilbert and Bernadette (Larose) Messier. He grew up and went to school in Franklin, VT, graduating from Franklin High School with the Class of 1957. He matriculated to what was Johnson's Teachers College and finished with a Master's in 1961. For six years he taught at Highgate High School, was guidance counselor at Fairfax for a year and then worked in school administration at the Orleans Essex North Supervisory Union and in 1985 became the Superintendent for the Caledonia North Supervisory Union until retiring there in 1996. He continued part-time with the OENSU for some time. Norm loved sports and coached soccer, boys & girls basketball, baseball and softball in Highgate; he umpired Babe Ruth and high school baseball and refereed basketball and soccer just about everywhere. Norman served also as the Asst. State Commissioner, Comm., Regional Comm. and was the New England Regional Comm. for Babe Ruth, baseball, softball and Cal Ripken League. For over 39 years he volunteered at Boys' State and was the director for 15 years. Over the years he was trustee and held seats on various boards including: Lyndon Institute, the School Board for Lyndon & Riverside, the Alumni Assoc. at Johnson College, Lyndon State College and the International Babe Ruth Board of Directors. Norman had also been active in the Lyndon Rotary Club and was Town Moderator for several years. He is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Laura (Gurney) Messier, of Lyndon, his sons: Richard Messier of Winooski, VT, Ronald Messier of Manchester, NH, his son-in-law: Gene Rice of Manchester, NH, four grandchildren: Kaitlyn & Gabriella Rice, Alexander & Lillian Messier and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his daughter: Cheryl Rice in 2014. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11AM on Saturday January 9, 2016, at St. Elizabeth's Church, High Street, in Lyndonville, VT. Burial will be private and there will be no calling hours. Memorial Donations may be made in Norman's Name to the Jimmy Fund, payable to Dana Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168, or to http://www.jimmyfundgiving.org Condolences may be shared privately with the family at www.guibordfh.com