Stuart W. Messur

July 20, 1933 - July 25, 2017

GENEVA -Stuart W. Messur, 84, passed away peacefully at his home with his family by his side on Tuesday, July 25, 2017. A Celebration of his Life will be held Sunday, August 6, 2017 at 2:00 pm at The Presbyterian Church in Geneva.  Rev. Deborah Lind-Schmitz will officiate.  A reception will be held in the fellowship hall following the service where you can greet the family.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in his name to The Presbyterian Church in Geneva, 24 Park Place, Geneva, NY 14456.  Stuart was born in Yonkers, NY on July 20, 1933, the son of the late Carl and Mary Brown Messur.  He graduated from Yonkers High School in 1951.  Stuart served proudly in the U.S. Navy Reserve from 1951-1954 and then active duty from 1954-1956 on the U.S.S. Albany, CA 123.    Once discharged, Stuart attended SUNY Oswego, where he received a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Education.  The following year, he began his teaching career in Whitney Point and continued at Geneva High School for 35 years, teaching industrial arts, graphic arts, and photography.   Stuart also served as the media specialist for the Geneva school district.  In the summers and after retirement, he worked part time doing home construction and repair.  He was a jack of all trades, never turning down a friend that needed anything fixed.  Family members have fond memories working with and learning from him doing repairs and renovations at their homes and cottages, constructing a camp in the Adirondacks, and building a log cabin in the Finger Lakes.   Stuart was a member of the Geneva Teacher’s Association, and was a 50-plus year member of the Scottish Clan McGregor.   Stuart had a real love for canoeing, joining the Yonkers Canoe Club as a teenager and competing in canoe and kayak races throughout the northeast.   He was the first American to win a canoe race around Manhattan against Canada, participated in the Olympic trials, paddled for years in team triathlons with family and friends, and more recently completed a 90-mile canoe race in the Adirondacks with his son, Stuart.  Stuart coached high school and middle school golf, was an advisor for high school ski club, and a high school swim official.  He was an active member of the Presbyterian Church in Geneva, where he served both as a Deacon and an Elder.  Stuart’s greatest joy was spending time with his family.  He was a great husband, father and grandfather, always putting family first when there was a need.  To his children, every moment spent together was precious, and filled with love.  He found much peace at his cottage on the east shore of Seneca Lake, where he shared his love for the water with family, cooked some amazing meals, and built campfires that brought family and friends together for countless evenings of fellowship and laughter.  Stuart’s love for Seneca Lake has made it a very special and memorable place in the hearts of his wife, children, grandchildren, and friends.  His love for the family was also recognized through countless hours travelling between Rochester, Geneva and Syracuse to cheer on his seven grandchildren during sporting events, and lend a hand to his children with home repairs.  His attention to family has had a positive, everlasting influence on those touched by him.   He is survived by his beloved wife, Barbara, with whom he spent 60 wonderful years of marriage; his childrenz; Stuart (Debora) Messur, Nancy (Daniel) Miller, and Elizabeth (John) Storrar; seven grandchildren: Ashley, Alexandra and Stephen Messur, Alaina Miller and Colin, Cameron and Griffin Storrar; one sister, Louise (Robert) Koenig; one brother, Bruce (Patricia) Messur; one sister-in-law, Eleanor Stearns; and many nieces and nephews.  Stuart will be dearly missed by all of those who knew him.