Louis R. "Bud" Messier – 92, passed away peacefully at the Barre Gardens Rehabilitation Center on Saturday, September 21, 2019. Born in Montgomery on October 1, 1926, he was the only son of the late Louis A. Messier and Ida (Lumbra) Messier.   Bud attended schools in Waterbury. In 1943 he enlisted in the US Navy and served his country during WWII. Following his honorable discharge in 1946, he returned to Waterbury where he met Barbara Trask, the love of  his life, and they were married in Waterbury on July 26, 1947.   Bud joined together with his brother-in-law, Frank Grow, founding Frank and Bud's Service Station on lower South Main Street in Waterbury. An institution within the community known for excellent service, together they operated the business for 37 years, retiring in 1984. Following, Bud built a garage at his property on Perry Hill and serviced part-time until 1999 some of the many loyal customers he built relationships with. In later years, the garage became a meeting place for family and friends to gather for holiday meals, such as Easter and Thanksgiving.   Bud's memberships included St. Andrew Catholic Church and the Harry N. Cutting American Legion Post 59, both in Waterbury. In his leisure time he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and each summer he took great pride in his large and bountiful vegetable garden. Bud also enjoyed stock car racing at Thunder Road where in the early 1960's he sponsored his own race car.   Bud is survived by his son, Louis R. Messier, Jr. and his wife, Brenda of Waterbury; his granddaughter, Amy Currier and her husband Steve of Waterbury Center; 4 great-grandchildren, Austin Hoyt, Hailey Messier, Cameron Currier and Emma Currier. Bud was predeceased by his wife, Barbara Messier, his grandson, Donald Messier, and 5 sisters, Theresa Messier, Bessie Cleveland, Ubaldine Boivin, Anna Grow and Phyllis Bianco.   A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated from St. Andrew Catholic Church in Waterbury on Saturday, September 28, 2019 at 10 a.m. with a reception to follow in the parish hall. Inurnment will take place in Holy Cross Cemetery in Duxbury. For those who wish, memorial gifts would be appreciated to the Barre Gardens Patient Activities Fund, 378 Prospect Street, Barre, VT 05641. Assisting the family is the Perkins-Parker Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Waterbury. To send online condolences please visit www.perkinsparker.com  or the funeral home Facebook page.

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