Gail Marie Messier of Fort Myers, Florida, age 78, passed away on May 4th in her home, surrounded by family. She is survived by her husband David Allan Messier and two sons, David Allan Jr and Brett Joseph.
Gail was born in South River, NJ to Joseph and Mary Zaremba, both deceased. She graduated South River High School and loved going to the Jersey Shore long before reality television made it famous. Her family had a small bungalow in Seaside Heights that generated big memories of family gatherings, going to the beach, fishing, and meals around a family table on many a New Jersey summer weekend. In 1966 Gail married David Messier whom she remained married to for the next 56 years. Gail was a loving mother and raised her family in north Jersey, first in Nutley and later in Sparta. She returned to school after her boys left home and received her bachelor’s degree from New Jersey City University and later her master’s degree from Fordham University in New York City. She began a teaching career after Fordham and taught in both the New York City and New Jersey public school districts.
Several years later life took Dave and Gail to back to the Jersey Shore as both neared the end of their professional careers and started looking to retirement. In this chapter of her life Gail was able to pursue her passion for antiquing by finding treasures in flea markets, thrift shops, and estate sales. Some of these treasures made their way into her store, “Perpetuals”, that she ran in Barnegat, NJ and some into her home, and many into both! Antiques, food, fashion, RV vacations, and decorating her homes in Manahawkin, Atlantic City and later Fort Myers, were favorite pastimes that Gail cultivated as she transitioned into her golden years.
Gail adored her two granddaughters, Brooklyn and Laine, and relished any visits they made to her New Jersey or Florida homes. Brooklyn will miss her grandmother’s humor, drawing skills, golf cart adventures and sharing family secrets.
A private celebration of life will be held with family and a few close friends near Gail’s childhood home on what would have been her 79th birthday in October. In lieu of gifts or flowers, donations can be made in Gail’s honor to “F.I.S.H.” (Friends in Service Here of Del Tura, 1131 Las Paloma, North Fort Myers, FL 33903) who were very kind to Gail.
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