TAKE 111 SOUTH TO 113 WEST ON TO 119 WEST THROUGH PEPPERELL AND TOWNSEND. THEN RIGHT ON TO 124 WEST. GO STRAIGHT THROUGH THE STOP AT FOUR CORNERS. TAKE SHARP LEFT ON TO 123A. GO PAST THE HISTORICAL BARRETT HOUSE. (YOU ARE ALMOST THERE). CENTER CEMETERY IS ONLY ABOUT 1/3 MILE DOWN THE ROAD..............................

When you see a small thin stretch of white fence ahead on your right, be ready to turn into the cemetery any moment. YOU ARE THERE!!! It comes up on you very fast and is very easily passed but you can't miss it. The moment you pass the entrance you'll know it!!!!! You can drive on in up past the Kids Pond. I believe it's the 3rd row into the 2nd part of the cemetery, just before the stone wall. They have added on to the other side of the wall, but the section you want is just before it, in the full sun (if the sun decides to shine). You can decide to park right there or drive in that tire-pathed lane. Maybe it would help you to know that Chris's is the only bench in this section.

Also, just in case, F.Y.I. This cemetery is celebrating their Memorial Day services on May 21st at 1pm. Sunday. It's always celebrated earlier in order for them to get a school band to march and then to play a song or two as part of the Services. It's a small town but they do it up right!!! The parade marches from one cemetery to the other and does the services at both. As stated earlier, Center Cemetery starts at approx. 1pm. Road-ways do get blocked off so just in the event anyone should decide to go, keep that in mind as well as the fact things might just happen a tiny bit earlier or later as happens anywhere. It's always best to get there earlier.
 

MS. BARBARA ANN MESSIER
( CHRIS' MOM )

New Ipswich is a very nice small town. Chris's little piece of earth with his small Memorial Bench is a very nice little spot. It is full of love and of course joy. We mustn't ever forget 'joy', for that is the essence of Chris!!!

This goes out to all who love and care about Chris, but especially to the many people (all ages ) who kept the calls coming for up to 3 weeks after his obituary and write-up appeared in the telegraph one year ago. These were people I've never known or met but who I agree with in their thoughts and feelings.

Yes, I do believe everyone born on this Planet (Earth) should, upon being reborn into their new Eternal lives, be able to leave behind a small piece of Earth to call his very own. With much relief, I can finally report that Chris now has this and most definitely is more than deserving of it. It isn't awfully far away but is a drive. This spot is in New Ipswich, NH. at Center Cemetery. This place was chosen 'cause it posed no problems, as much of my family already 'rests' there, including my Dad and Mom, my husband Don and generations back. Between Ollie (the grounds-keeper), Richard Medlyn (the man responsible for Chris' Memorial Bench) and myself, we were able to have a small unique bench set in. Because of the soil there, it had to be set in similar to the way a Memorial Stone would be.

I want to thank all those who called concerning this subject and to the fact that my son was so highly regarded. It was felt by many that they had a need to have a specific place especially for him whenever this need arose to pay their respects to him; as several put it, "To pay Homage to him." I assured these people that I would do something though I didn't know what at that time. I told them to check on Project Mess Website. I added that in all reality, if what was going through my mind at that time could work out, it would not come into being until possibly another year. It is now very close to that 'year' and with great thanks to both Ollie and Richard, Chris can look back and rejoice in knowing that he will always have a little piece of Earth to call his very own.

I have been asked to pass on to whoever may want to take that drive, that there is to be NO planting at the bench site. If you should visit at Chris' Memorial Site please sit on his bench and reminisce awhile about anything or any time you may have shared with him in his life on Earth, or simply go sit on his bench and say, "Hey Chris, Look! It's me!! ". He would not want you to make the trip only to look at his very own little piece of Earth. He would want you to feel his welcome and he would want you to sit a bit. That was his purpose in choosing a unique little memorial bench. Let it serve its purpose, for him if not yourself. You who know him know who he is, what he is and what he represents. His love, concern and compassion for those of you who have shown him the same will always be a part of him. How do I know this? Because he is my son, because I am his Mom and because of the ties that bind......
 

Barbara Ann Messier
( Chris' Mom )

I have to say; sometimes in the world you lose faith in people, but so many of you have restored that faith for me and my kids.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all you have done since Chris passed. You really have no idea how much it truly is appreciated. Just the outpouring of love and concern is quite overwhelming.

Words just can't sum up how we feel, just know that you are all thanked and all in our prayers.

Again, thank you and God bless!

    The Messiers

Christopher A. “Mess” Messier, 40, of Hudson, died unexpectedly Friday, May 20, 2005, at Southern New Hampshire Medical Center in Nashua.

Mr. Messier was born April 18, 1965, in Nashua, son of Barbara (Cummings) Messier of Nashua and the late Donald Messier. He resided in Hudson for 12 years and was formerly of Nashua.

He was the beloved husband of Tamara E. (Guimond) Messier, to whom he was married for 16 years.

Mr. Messier was employed at Worthern Industries in Nashua as a machine operator for more than a year. He was also a lead singer and drummer for the Project Mess band in Nashua.

He was a coach for the Pop Warner league, enjoyed mountain biking and music and devoted his life to his wife and children.

Mr. Messier was educated in the Nashua school system.

Besides his wife and mother, survivors include two children, Lucas T. Messier, an eighth-grader at the Tabernacle Christian School, and Katrina E. Messier, a seventh-grader at the Tabernacle Christian School; five sisters, Jenny Pelletier, Lucy Sullivan, Carolyn Russon, Catherine Lozeau and Jackie Messier; an uncle, Roland Messier; cousins, nieces and nephews; and his father- and mother-in-law, Ralph E. and Suzanne C. Guimond of Nashua.

Calling hours will take place at the Zis-Sweeney Funeral Home (603) 882-3501, 26 Kinsley St., Nashua, New Hampshire, Tuesday, May 24, from 5 to 8 p.m. Services to follow at the funeral home 8 to 9p.m.. Cremation will take place at a later date.

Donations may be made in his memory to the charities of their choice.

Buzz is said to report that Project Mess drummer Chris Messier died last weekend.

In a statement from the band, bass player Dave Dillavou said, "We will sadly miss him, as he was not only our drummer and lead singer, but he was our best friend, our brother, our family."

According to Dillavou, Project Mess just had a sponsorship from Budweiser/Bellavance Beverage, and had shows lined up around New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

"The band was named after Chris. Mess was his nickname, " Dillavou said. "Chris loved the band and music. It was his life. You could ask him what was playing on the radio and he would tell you the name and the artist. We could start playing a song and he would just start singing the words. He was a walking jukebox. But more than anything in the world, he loved his family and kids, Lucas and Katrina.

Nothing could stand in the way of Mess and his kids, he loved them so much. Chris we miss you, and we love you, man."

The band extended thanks to its fans and friends for all their support.

Courtesy photo

Project Mess drummer Chris. Messier, seen here, died last weekend. His fellow band members have expressed their sadness over the loss.

By Amy Diaz
adiaz@hippopress.com
The Hippo, Manchester, NH - May 26, 2005
 

Christopher Messier, known as "Mess" to his friends, died on Friday, May 20 of a heart attack.

Messier, 40, was drummer and lead singer for, the band Project Mess, voted best local musicians in Hippo's readers' poll in March. The band which covered modern rock and rock songs of the '70s,'80s and '90s, was playing Cattleman's Sports Bar, 14 Railroad Square, Nashua, on Friday when Messier told the other band members he wasn't feeling well.

"[He said] he wanted to go get some air," said Dave Dillavou, the band's bass player.

Messier went outside and about 15 minutes later a fireman came in to get Dillavou, he said. Someone had found Messier and called 911, Dillavou said. He rode with Messier to the hospital and Dillavou credits the firefighters and EMTs for trying to save his friend by administering CPR on the way to the hospital. Later, fans helped put the band's equipment in the truck and brought it to Dillavou, he said.

"Everybody's been so nice," he said.

A funeral for Messier was planned for Tuesday, May 24. Dillavou said that Messier's wife, Tamara, asked that fans and friends who want to pay their respect to the drummer make a donation to their own favorite charities in Messier's name.

Dillavou said the band's future is now up in the air. Future shows, including one this Thursday in Nashua and one Sunday in Manchester, are cancelled but the band will probably do some sort of memorial show in the future. (Dillavou said he will post details on the band's website at www.projectmessrocks.com and send flyers to the clubs they regularly play.)

The band, which also includes Phil Plante and Greg Thomas, was named after Messier and whether they keep the name in the future will depend in part on how Messier's two children -- Lucas Messier, 14, and Katrina Messier, 13 -- feel about it, Dillavou said. He said the children were the most important thing to Messier, who frequently spent his weekends taking his taking his kids bowling or to the movies.

"The band was second; the kids were first," he said. "He had a drum beat like none other."

"Chris loved the band and music, it was his life," Dillavou added. "You could ask him what was playing on the radio and he would tell you the name and the artist. We could start playing a song and he would just start singing the words. He was a walking juke box. But more than anything in the world, he loved his family and kids Lucas and Katrina. Nothing could stand in the way of Mess and his kids, he loved them so much."

Dillavou described Messier as a musician who didn't seek the spotlight.

"He was the lead singer but he didn't like to be the front man," he said. "He liked to stay out back."

My dad was my best friend and my world basically. I will miss him sooooo much. We got back his "personal effects’’ and I am wearing his watch. As I listen to the ticking I imagine it’s his heartbeat. My life has changed and will forever be. I am now alone without my father. Now I don’t know who to be sarcastic with and I don’t know who to laugh with. We had so many "inside jokes". Like itikisfagangagan and "it's a big black dude. Let's throw a hot dog at him and see what he does!".

He missed my birthday by about 9 days. I know for a fact he wanted to be at my birthday and see me become a teen. And I know that he wanted to be there to see me grow up and become a woman, I wanted him to be there too.

No one can take away the love I had, better yet the love that I HAVE for him. Also no one can replace the love and individuality he gave me, absolutely no one.

In a sense God is rewarding my dad. Since he was such a great person he deserved something better than this world. So many people have said "Hey, if you need anything just ask." Well I would ask you all to try and bring my dad, best friend, and mentor back. But, you can't.

Now every Christmas will be different. No more dad passing out the gifts, and no more Thanksgiving turkey skin fights. No more being embarrassed when he asks about the boy I like. When I wanna go on a motorcycle ride he won't be there. I know Phil will but it just won't be the same. And when I wanna play catch in the yard, he just won't be there. And now he won't be there to ask me the lyrics to a song, or ask me to sing a song for him. He always said I had a beautiful voice and that I needed to share it with the world. And I always thought "he has to say that, he’s my dad". But now I’m gonna try to share it with the world.

This is going to be one of the hardest things I will ever encounter, not having my dad here beside me. But I do honestly appreciate the care and concern of all these people.

Always,

    Katie (daughter)

~Chris~

You've been the center of my life for 27 years and the thought of you being gone is devastating to me. I can't eat without dry heaving. I can't sleep for more than a few minutes at a time. When I doze and wake up, it only takes seconds before I realize that none of this is a dream. Oh how I wish it were.

When I feel I’ve cried all I can more tears start to flow. I already miss our nightly talk. I miss telling you sweet dreams and happy thoughts. I don't understand why God has taken you away from the kids and me. I'm angry with him for that!

You've been my best friend, my strength for most of my life and now you are gone and I feel so alone.  I know I have family and friends but no one can replace you or what we had. You knew me better than I knew myself. You understood me totally and you truly loved me unconditionally. Even with our troubles you were my rock, and for all of that I thank you.

I will love you forever and forever you will hold the key to my heart. Please ask the Lord to take away the pain of all of this for the kids and for myself, because I can't do this alone!

I would give all that I have if I could just bring you home to us. I know that can't happen because the Lord has different plans. I can't help thinking though that this time God was wrong and that he made a mistake!

My heart is breaking and you aren't here to fix it. Remember Chris "I love you best”.

For now I say goodnight, not goodbye, until I see you again.

    ~Tamara (widow)

My Dear Son,

No, I did not write these words I'm using. This came on a very carefully chosen card from the Geers because of its words that we believe describes you so exactly.

Chris, you definitely are one of these people, so much so that I am completely positive you crossed over into your eternal life as soon as you took your last breath here on our earth. We'll catch ya later in time as each of us receives our own calls from the Lord. 'Til then your life will be celebrated in our hearts, dear one. There's no way you could ever be forgotten.

---- This is you, my Chris ----

- Mom

From Chris' Mom
Re: V. Roland

Although my son has thanked his Uncle Roland T. Messier over and over simply by the sheer joy and sparkling smiles that lit up Chris' face after each lesson. Chris was always aware just where and by whom this 'second love' of his lifetime began. It was his first love for many years, till both Luke and Katie and Chris became not only Dad and children but each became the best friend of one another, the best part of each other for always and ever, even now. Acknowledging this thank you once again from Chris to his Uncle Roland is a 'must' for these pages, especially for the band members through the years.

Really learning how to play the drums and how to read drum music was something Chris wanted at a very early age. It was finally his Uncle Roland who came through for him turning his childhood dream into a reality. It was his Uncle Roland who drove him back and forth for these lessons. So much happiness and pleasures were derived from this gift to my son, both while he was learning, and earning the praises of everyone at the studio and then much later from his Band Members, especially those from Project Mess (his dearest friends as close-knit as brothers) and of course, their audiences.

Uncle Roland would stay and wait while Chris went through the time of lessons, eventually thinking, "If I'm going to hang around here doing nothing but waiting for Chris, I might as well accomplish something." So one day to our amazement, our laughter and disbelief, in walked his Uncle Roland toting a guitar, a childish grin and an announcement. He was going to put his time at the studio to use. While waiting for Chris to finish his drum sessions, Uncle Roland would take up guitar lessons. He did this to pass the time and for his own amusement. He never had an audience. If he would have, it would literally have been a 'captive' or captured one, as it wasn't exactly what one would call 'music to our ears'. (Sorry Roland, but you know me, always trying to tell it like it is).

Ohhh, but you were so very good, so generous with your time and ever thoughtful of Chris' true desire. He's been ever mindful of your gift and in return, Chris' gift to so many, but for such a short time. Every minute with his drums and with his Band Brothers, whether a gig or a practice session was, to him, like a God-send, a blessing of fun and work, music and brotherhood.

I know Chris did not talk much about himself. He was never a 'me me me' or an 'I I I' kind of guy. But I'm so sure he would want the members of Project Mess and their public who came to listen, to know that it was his Uncle Roland who got him started way back and saw him through to realizing his childhood dream. If my son, once in a while, is one of Heaven's drummers on the other side, God bless all those tiny cherubs and angels when it's their nap-time!! Now, they'd be more likely to become a toe-tapping, hand-clapping, not-napping true heavenly audience, and always (like us) wanting more. Chris was ever-mindful of this gift and its giver. Roland, thank you for a very large part of my sons' happiness while here on this earth. You are truly a child of God.

Love ya.

        Chris' Mom

I can't begin to say how hard it is to do this. I've been on stage thousands of times singing, playing and telling jokes, but this is the hardest show, I've ever had to do. We all loved Chris in our own ways, we all knew him in different ways. On this day we should remember him for all the good he has done in our lives.

Everyday I've been thinking of him. I've received countless phone calls and e-mails from friends, fans, and family saying how they cant believe this and how sorry they are. I've been offered countless help from tons of people, all this is overwhelmingly appreciated. We're all sorry and you don't need to stand up in front of everyone and pour out your emotions to let them know how sorry you are, we know your sorrow, your pain. And we all understand how hard this is.

I was thinking the other day that, I've said " I love you man" to Chris. If there's any one that you need to say this to, please say it today, because you never know what tomorrow will bring.

On this day, of his final appearance, please remember him for the love he's brought to your life. I wish I could sing you a song but I'd probably freeze. But if there were a song I could sing, it would be the song Chris always wanted me to play so he could go take a leak break.

The song is "Time of your life" by Green Day. It goes like this:

You'll always be beating in my heart. Peace be with you!