Obituary of Jerome Anthony Messina

Jerome Anthony "Jerry" Messina, age 84, of Bryn Mawr, PA passed away on Sunday, November 9, 2025.

He was born in Middletown, New York on March 11, 1941, the son of the “two Tonies,” Anthony Jerome and Antoinette (Diana) Messina.

Jerry was a graduate of Allegheny College (‘63) and the University of Pennsylvania Law School. (‘66). He and Shirley Hans married in 1963 and have resided on the Main Line since then.

Jerry loved the water. He worked as a lifeguard at Jones Beach, New York, for nine years, including all through college and law school. And he sailed and boated on the Chesapeake Bay and in the open Atlantic Ocean (although the stories say he almost didn't make it back). 

He was the consummate “Philadelphia lawyer” and worked as an attorney for over 43 years. After he graduated law school (1966), he worked for the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for several years, inspired by helping the Jones Beach Lifeguards unionize. He then joined a small Quaker firm, MacCoy Evans & Lewis, before joining Pepper Hamilton and Sheetz. Jerry quickly made partner at Pepper and was Managing Partner for several years of his more than three decades there. His department eventually moved laterally to join Klett Rooney. He retired from lawyering in 2006. 

Jerry was constantly in motion. He had endless hobbies. He loved cars, audio/visual gadgets, colonial American architecture, Michelin-starred dining and haute cuisine, fine wines, antiques (which included cars like the 1961 Bently but also plenty of gadgets like dueling pistols), and of course all things related to sailing on the Chesapeake. He turned his passion into a business – Osprey Point, Inc. founded in 1993 on Maryland’s Eastern (Chesapeake) shore. The business includes an inn built in the Colonial Williamsburg style, a marina with the most advanced docks and boatyard, a restaurant designed with his taste for fine food and wine in mind, and a warm welcome that continues today. 

He will be remembered for his outgoing personality and his ability to make people laugh - right up until the end. 

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Shirley May Messina (née Hans); two sons, Christopher Messina (Destiny Decklar) and David (Kim) Messina; daughter, Victoria "Tory" Messina (Calvin Johnson); two brothers, L. Michael Messina (Patricia Madrid) and Paul (Kanjana) Messina; as well as seven grandchildren, Tess, Ruby, Grace, Max, Weston, Felix and Signe.

A celebration of life is planned for December 6, from 1:30 to 3 in Congregational Hall at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church. All are invited to join his family to share a story about Jerry.