JOHN D. MESSNER, a resident of Ridgefield Park, NJ for 82 years, passed away on May 21st of this year. John was predeceased by his wife Helen Moroney Messner, his beloved parents, John C. Messner and Margaret Davis Messner and by his loving brother Ronald Jan Messner. He is survived by Lorraine Mahr Messner, wife of Ronald Messner and family, and by his youngest brother Barry, his wife Tiiu Jaigma Messner and family.
John was a life-long trombone player, beginning his career at the age of 19 when he first went on the road with big band orchestras throughout the 50’s and 60’s. After serving two years in the U.S. Army as part of the First Army Band stationed at Governor’s Island, NY, he went on to do many Broadway shows, studio recordings and TV engagements with the likes of such talents as Tony Bennett and Barbara Streisand. During this time, John also had the privilege of working with Frank Sinatra, whose orchestra he later joined and played with for many years, travelling around the country and even doing some world tours. John also worked with the NBC Tonight Orchestra before it moved out to the west coast. He also did many studio recordings with his father John C. Messner, George Romanis and Peter Matz for many commercial products on the east coast. John’s last full time employment was with the Paper Mill Playhouse Orchestra in Millburn, NJ.
John’s greatest joy in life, besides his wife Helen, was the camaraderie he had with his fellow musicians and his dearest friends at the 101 Club in Bogota, NJ.
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