Dana R. Messenger, 64, of Reading, Mass., passed away peacefully on March 19 surrounded by his loving family. Dana was born in Melrose, Mass., on January 12, 1951. The son of the late Robert A. Messenger and Elizabeth S. (Boyd) Messenger of Reading, he graduated from Reading Memorial High School, where he was a standout scholar and a member of the 1968 Eastern Mass. Champion varsity baseball team. Dana went on to attend the University of Wisconsin at Madison, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in U.S. History and was an active member of the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity.

Dana ran a successful flooring contracting business for many years and was a longtime usher at theatre and live music venues across Boston. An avid sports enthusiast, Dana played on countless baseball and softball teams and closely followed the Boston Bruins, New England Patriots and Wisconsin Badgers. He enjoyed playing Strat-O-Matic baseball, biking, photography and visiting the ocean.

Dana is survived by his brother Dwight B. Messenger and his wife, Jean (McFadden) Messenger of Bradford, Mass., his nephews Brian Messenger and Robert Messenger, and his niece Kara Messenger. He will be missed dearly by his immediate family and many cousins, lifelong friends, classmates and teammates.

A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at the Douglass, Edgerley and Bessom Funeral Home 25 Sanborn St. (corner of Woburn St.) Reading on Saturday, April 4, at 11:00am. A visitation will be held prior to the service from 10-11. Burial is private.

In lieu of flowers, a donation in Dana's memory may be made to the Mike Boyd Foundation, Inc., 13 School Hill Lane, North Reading, MA. 01864

For directions and on line guest book visit johnbdouglassfuneralhome.com