BRUNSWICK — Vincent Earle Messler, 84, died peacefully on Tuesday, April 16, 2013, at Mid Coast Hospital. He was the beloved husband of 52 years of Elizabeth Seidel Messler.
Born in Mount Vernon, NY, in 1928, he was the son of Charles C. Messler and Elizabeth O’Neill Messler. He graduated from Fordham Preparatory School and Providence College. After serving four years in the United States Coast Guard, he attended the University of Michigan for certification in Health Care Economics.
He joined Blue Cross & Blue Shield of CT, where he became the Director of Cost Containment and Utilization Review of the delivery of health care, both institutional and professional, throughout the state. He developed the first contractual benefit for Hospice Care with the Medicare Program. He served on the Board of Directors of South Central Health Systems Agency; the Society to Prevent Blindness; and the CT Public Health Association. He was a member of the CT Hospital Association and the Advisory Group of the Hartford County Healthcare Plan. He was a member of the University Glee Club of New Haven for 20 years.
Retiring and moving to Bath, ME, in 1985, he established the Packard House Bed and Breakfast in Bath with his wife Elizabeth. He was active in the Bath Area Chamber of Commerce and served as its president for two years; was a member of the Board of Elmhurst, Inc. for 20 years; and had continued to serve on the Board of Mid Coast Hospital.
He was predeceased by a sister, Gertrude M. Wood, and a brother, Charles C. Messler. Surviving in addition to his wife are their four children and three spouses: John C. Messler and Patricia of Durham, NH; Elizabeth A. Messler and Nitza Jimenez of West Haven, CT; Alice M. Reiniger and Timothy of Richmond, VA; and Joseph P. Messler of Rockwall, TX; also five grandchildren: Carol, Katherine, and Sara Messler of NH, and Charles and Robert Reiniger of VA; and many loving relatives.
A Memorial Celebration will be held on Friday, June 21, 2013, at 11 a.m., at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church in Yarmouth, ME.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to Elmhurst, Inc., 197 Centre Street, Bath, ME 04530; or Mid Coast Hospital, 123 Medical Center Drive, Brunswick, ME 04011.
Condolences may be expressed at www.funeralalternatives.net.
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