Vale John Messenger
Kirk Marcolina
It is with sadness that we farewell John Messenger, who was one of the founding sailors at Double Bay Sailing Club.
John’s father, Charlie, was one of the club’s founders in 1956. John and his young friends were the club’s earliest VJ sailors. John was involved in everything that happened during the early days of the club, including the building of the club house in 1959.
John later served as Commodore of the club, and was a respected and well-known sailor, whose memberships also included RPEYC and CYCA. His activities at CYCA are well-documented, most notably his initiative and skill in organising funding for and building of the floating marina there.
John loved spending time with his old childhood mates, and DBSC held special memories for him. He was a man of the people who was welcomed and respected in the who’s who of sailing. Our thoughts are with John’s family and friends in this sad time. He will be remembered and he will be missed.
A memorial service for John will be held at 3pm on Friday, 29 September at The Scots College in Bellevue Hill, followed by a celebration of his life at CYCA from 4pm.
John Messenger at DSBC’s Jubilee Celebrations in 2016. From left to right: Peter Backhouse, Jim Ley, John Messenger, Bob Hogan, Rob Hornibrook.