Antonio R. Messer, also known as "Tony," of Estate Carlton, Frederiksted, died on Jan. 7. He was 74 years old.
He is survived by his companion, Vuriley Harris; adopted mother, Ann E. Abramson; daughters: Leah Messer, Michelle Messer and Toni Messer; sons: Antonio R. Messer Jr. and Sergil Messer; adopted son, Ramon Davila; grandchildren, Horace Magras Jr., J’nelle Magras, Jamar Magras, Jareem Magras, Ahmad Messer, Antonio R. Messer III, Krystal Messer, Aliya Messer, Jaylen Messer, Azhanae Messer, Karita Gerard, Kyle Gerard, Kerel Gerard and Annias Jawahir Jr.; 20 great-great-grandchildren; sisters: Corine Messer and Joyce Messer- Fontenelle; adopted brother, Rupert R. Abramson Jr.; nieces: Tysha Henry, Fallon Fontenelle and Allarie Monsanto; nephews: Dwayne Thomas and Clifton Fontenell; great nieces: Rainia Thomas, Shaina Thomas Jarvis, Raenel Thomas Vallarde, C’mone Thomas and Shonneth Gittens; and great nephews: Sen. Kenneth Gittens, Kevin Gittens, Carl Gittens, Cadeem DeCambra and Jahmal Thomas.
He is also survived by nine great-great nieces and nephews; daughter-in-law, Malinda Vigilant-Messer; son-in-law, Claude Gerard; brother-in-law, Constantine Fontenelle; godchild, Verna-Mae Doward; and special friends: Gov. Kenneth E. Mapp, Michelle Martin and Kenneth Henderson, caretakers, O’Neal Abel, William Richards, the Henderson, Davila, Gittens, Armstrong and Dratte families, Bonnie Preiss, Irvin Francis, Roan Creque, Edgar Iles, Norris and Rita Harris, George Phillips, Betty Wilson, Keith Thomas, David Benjamin, Alfredo Hodge, Warren and Barbara Wylie, Raphael Russell, Vincent Doward, Adelbert Bryan, Charles Farrell, Alvin Milligan, Denise Richards, Pamela Marsh, Edwina Taylor, Reuben Fenton, Maurice Illidge, Ms. Hazel, Norma Smith, Franklin Johnson, Gwendolyn Lucas, Mario "Piggy" Turnbull, the On The Wall Crew, members of Rotary Club West, employees of the Department of Public Works, employees of Paradise Waste, and other friends too numerous to mention.
Other surviors include cousins and other relatives: Evelyn Messer James, Clarissa Messer-Petersen, Arieline Brady Rames, Joan Brady Dandridge, Lithia Brady, John D. Brady, BenHur Brady, Victor Brady, Ione Powell Brown and family, Keithly Caesar and family, Tennyson Joseph Sr. and family, Carmen Chastanet and family, descendents of Messer, Brady and Powell families, Gladys Miller Anthony and family, Beulah Robersen and family, Marie James and family, Melita Menders and family, Alric Miller and family, James Parris and family, and the Benjamin, James, Springer, Hector, Fludd, Branch, Brow, Christian, Malone, Johannes, Williams, Romney and Stanley families; as well as other relatives too numerous to mention.
A viewing will take place at 9 a.m. followed by a funeral service at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 23, at Friedensberg Moravian Church. Interment will be at Frederiksted Cemetery.
All arrangements are by James Memorial Funeral Home Inc.
