Joseph Messineo

Joseph Messineo of Shohola Township died on Tuesday, March 17, 2015, at his home in Twin Lakes. He was 85.

He grew up in Lyndhurst, N.J., where he met his first wife, Emilie Shadel. He began working at Becton Dickinson and Company, starting in the tool room, moving on to manufacturing, engineering and finally as Production Supervisor/Superintendent of three different departments. He retired from BD in 1985 after 38 years. During this time, Joe and Emilie raised two sons, David and Steven, in Rutherford, N.J., and spent summers and weekends at Twin Lakes in Shohola.

Soon after retirement, Joe married his second wife, Pat Fahy, in 1989 and spent winters at Pico Peak in Vermont skiing and working in the ski repair shop. In the other months, he ran a successful home repair business at Twin Lakes. Joe and Pat also found time to sail large boats in many locations in the U.S., including many islands of the Caribbean. They also travelled the country extensively, often camping en route, and always helping to repair the boats and houses of the friends they visited. Joe and Pat also volunteered their time to build housing with Habitat for Humanity at Hilton Head, S.C., during several winter retreats.

He became a hands-on leader in the Twin Lakes community. He was an active member of the Twin and Walker Creeks Water Shed Conservancy and a board member from 2001-2015; a 45-year member of the Twin Lakes Park Association; and a 56-year member of the Twin Lakes Sunfish Fleet.

A gathering will be held on Friday, March 27, at the Milford United Methodist Church, 206 East Ann St., Milford, beginning at 2 p.m., with a memorial service at 3 p.m., followed by a repast in the church basement.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hilton Head Regional Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 2747, Bluffton, SC 29910, or to the Twin and Walker Creeks Watershed Conservancy, c/o Irene DeVito, Treasurer, 102 Warpath Place, Shohola, PA 18458.

Arrangements are by Stroyan Funeral Home, Milford.