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THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2021 Page 5 Messinger Insurance celebrates ll®'§ll 100th Anniversary! �n Harry Read Messinger, Founder Harry Read Messinger carne from humble beginnings. Born in Berwick, Nova Scotia in 1890, he was the son of Thaddeus and Jennie (Hamilton) Messinger. Mr. Messinger was a traveling salesman and often made trips from Nova Scotia to the New England states. In 1904, Thaddeus and Jennie moved the family to Everett. Thaddeus continued to make frequent business trips to the Maritimes and in 1907, du ring one of those trips, he fell iii and died in his native land. Jennie, now left alone to raise Harry and his three sisters - Madelin, Flora and Georgie. Ms. Messinger went to work as a bookkeeper. After leaving school, Harry went straight to work for a pipe manufacturing company. At just 16Partners and Brothers, Timothy, Daniel, and David LaRovere years-old, he followed in his father's footsteps and represented the company throughout the Southern United States and the West lndies. Though stili a teenager, Harry spent almost two years on the road from 1906 to 1908. A year later, he was hired by a Holland, Michigan company as a traveling salesman. In 1913, Harry left the United States for England where he went to work in the banking industry. He was working there when WWI broke out in Europe. When his employer, Edwin Montagu, was appointed Minister of Munitions in July of 1916, he took now Lt. Messinger with him to the Ministry. After spending months supervising the receipt of supplies in Archangel, Russia, Harry wanted to get in the fight. lnstead, he was transferred to the Ministry's American Office in Baltimore and New York. Finally in January of 1918, his transfer was approved and he was sent to Wycliffe College in Toronto to train as a pilot in the Royal Air Force. In June, he sailed for the front. Serving mostly in France, Harry took on dangerous missions, including one that required five days of flying and refueling while scouting enemy positions. While his Sopwith Camel was hit by enemy fire du ring the patrol, he escaped unhurt. In February of 1919, Harry narrowly escaped death when the wing of a surrendered German piane that he was testing, crumbled and the piane crashed pinning his right leg under the engine. Harry was transported to a hospital in London, where he remained unconscious for several days. The doctors had prepared to amputate his leg, but his serious condition prevented the operation. By the time he regained consciousness, doctors no longer believed amputation was necessary. While he recovered from his wounds, his right an kle would bother him throughout his life. After spending further time recovering and being treated in Montreal, Harry returned to Everett in August of 1919. Harry moved in with his mother, widowed sister, Georgie and her young son at 44 Hancock Street. Stili recovering from his wounds, Harry, now 29 years-old, contemplated his future. Georgie, working as a stenographer for a real estate company, may have been the influence through her work that Harry decided to go into insurance. In 1921, Harry opened the Harry R. Messinger lnsurance Agency on the corner of Cottage Street Pictured with David LaRovere, retired Messinger employees, is Patricia Garofano, left, who worked at Messinger Insurance for 41 years; and Patricia Forgione, who worked at Messinger for 46 years. and Broadway in the old Plaisted Building. When that building was condemned in 1925, he moved to 475 Broadway, where it remains until today. In 1922, Mr. Messinger married Gertrude Connors of Boston. The couple would have two children; David and Mary. Harry was known as a strong supporter of Everett High's football team. In 1936, he donated a dog named Major to Everett High School football trainer Jack Comerford. The dog became the football team's mascot and a celebrity in Everett Square. Major was so popular that he would make the rounds in the Square and receive tidbits of meat from the local butchers. Harry was an active mem ber of the Everett business and civic communities included the American Legion, the Board of Trade (later the Cham ber of Commerce), and especially the Kiwa n is. He became an American citizen in 1925. Harry passed away on March 30, 1953. Pictured at left, Everett Historian Mike Matarazzo with David LaRovere Pictured at right, Messinger Insurance Agent, Francesca Mirembe and her son, Samuel Wanyama Everett City Government Citation .., Cllallclll !Jk it � lnou佇Ю :Ju-tk��llłm6/Jtu佇ЮlC01S佇Ю�to. „ JL tAat [Jfu Ulft佇Ю elbJ &u.d佇 and !Ri.佇 David J. laRovere, Timothy J. laRovere, and Daniel J. LaRovere In recogn!tion of Messinger lnsurance Agency's 100'� anniversary {19212021) providing qualityservice to all your customers, especiallythe residentsoftheCityofEverettforoveracentury. 9'kmtiwfą,�� w-,.9JutWi.,Ae., ont&, -.uJh�iM andeq u.,� tAelkpe (-cont佇Ю

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