James Messina, former Belleville mayor, dies at 72 – NorthJersey.com

Former Belleville Mayor James Messina has died at age 72, the township announced Thursday.

Messina, 72, was elected to the Township Council in 1990 and was appointed mayor in July 1994. He served as mayor until July 1996.

In a statement, township officials said Messina was known for his dedicated service to Belleville. He helped oversee the completion of construction on the public safety building and the facelift of the inside and outside of City Hall. He was the township’s director of public works.

No cause of death was given. 

“He served the township with honor and distinction,” said Mayor Michael Melham. “He had an uncommon commitment to making Belleville an even better place for its citizens. His family, including his children, James Jr. and Christina, are in our thoughts and prayers.”

Melham praised Messina as being one of the smartest men he knew, calling him a “great guy” and a “great mayor.”

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Messina and Melham lived in the same apartment building for the past year and Melham said he was able to see the former mayor every day.

“He always had great advice to give and offer,” Melham said. “He had my respect. It’s a sad day when the township loses a great guy like that.”

Officials said he was “known for his exuberance and his big laugh.” He was a self-employed contractor and owned the Belleville Pub.

Kaitlyn Kanzler covers Essex County for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: kanzler@northjersey.com Twitter: @KaitlynKanzler8