Obituary of Paul E. Messerle

North River: Paul E. Messerle, 75, of Old Schoolhouse Road, passed away peacefully, Sunday, November 4, 2018 at Glens Falls Hospital following a brief illness. Born April 14, 1943 in Troy, he was the son of the late William and Grace (Ryan) Messerle. Paul was raised in Rotterdam, NY and attended Draper High School. Upon graduating in 1962, Paul decided to serve his country and joined the United States Army. He trained and served as a combat medic during his enlistment, including tense times deploying to the Cuban Missile Crisis. Once his enlistment was completed, Paul returned to Schenectady and briefly worked for the NYS Thruway Authority. Opportunity allowed him to become trained as a welder and work for the General Electric for many years. Layoffs presented Paul with another opportunity to serve his country once more working for Knolls Atomic Power Lab in Niskayuna, NY in various roles, finally retiring as a millwright in 2000. Paul proudly served his community for many years as a volunteer firefighter with Rotterdam District 2 Volunteer Fire Company, rising through the ranks, eventually serving as Chief in 1987 and 1988. He always held his firefighters safety as a priority, as an officer and a senior member of the department. One of his main aspirations and desire was training and developing a well-trained and qualified auto extraction program for the fire department. Paul also served many years as a Fire Commissioner for the fire department. Upon retiring to the Adirondack Mountains, Paul continued to proudly serve his new community as a Firefighter, Pump Operator and Safety Officer with the North River Volunteer Fire Company until he became ill and wasn’t able to. Paul loved to be involved with his son’s activities, which included Boy Scouts summer camping adventures at Boyhaven, winter camping and sledding and many other scouting adventures. He coached everything from youth soccer, Little League baseball and was the main cameraman in the video booth of all Rotterdam Pop Warner and Mohonasen High School football games. He loved his family, his country, his brother and sister firefighters with a huge heart. He was willing to help anyone, at any time, without asking for anything in return. He provided and loved his family and never asked for anything in return. Paul was able to share his retirement with his loving wife in the Adirondacks for 18 years, always trying to be of help to his friends and neighbors. Paul considered the 18 years in North River to be among the happiest of his life. Besides his parents, he is predeceased by his daughter, Nicole and his sister in law, Thalia Messerle. He is survived by his beloved wife of 50 years, Donna Messerle of North River; his children, Joseph (Tracy) Messerle of Guilderland, NY and John Messerle of Henrico, Virginia. He is also survived by his brother, Donald Messerle of Charlotte, NC. Additionally he is survived by four grandchildren, Amanda, Sophia, Morgan and Cameron. Friends may call on Paul’s family from 6 to 8 pm, Thursday, November 8, 2018 at the Alexander Funeral Home, 3809 Main St., Warrensburg. A memorial service to celebrate his life will immediately follow the visitation at 8 pm, at the funeral home. Burial will full military honors will be conducted at a time to be announced in Gerald B. H. Solomon, Saratoga National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to the American SIDS Institute, Warren County SPCA, Rotterdam District 2 Volunteer Fire Company or North River Volunteer Fire Company. Please visit www.alexanderfh.net for online guest book, condolences, and directions.