Samuel John "Jack" Handy
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Samuel John "Jack" Handy, 65, of Parkesburg, died on Saturday, July 18, 2009 at the Tel Hai Nursing Home, after a long battle with cancer. He lived in Parkesburg most of his life and had a deep love for his Church, Family and his Farm that he worked for over 60 years.
He was the husband of Carol Grimm Handy with whom he shared over 39 years of marriage.
Born on May 13, 1944 in West Grove, he was the son of the late Samuel M. and Dorothy Abernethy Handy.
He was a graduate of Octorara High School and Penn State Wyomissing Campus. In 1964 he enlisted in the US Army Corp of Engineers and received the Bronze Star Medal for valor while serving in Vietnam.
Jack retired from PECO Energy in 1995 and from the Octorara School District in 2008. He continued to work for the Althouse School Bus Transportation Co. up until the time of his death.
Jack was a member of the Parkesburg Baptist Church for over 53 years, where, for many years, he taught Sunday School, was a youth advisor and took youth on service mission trips for over 25 years. He was also an active volunteer at the Octorara School.
He is survived, in addition to his wife, by two daughters; Ginny, wife of Jamie Schempp and Sally, wife of Charles Meyer, all of Parkesburg, seven grandchildren; Jamison, Jansen and Carson Schempp, Joe, Grace, Elizabeth and Sara Meyer, and one sister Barbara, wife of Ronald Gehret of Reading. He was preceded in death by a son John Patrick Handy and a daughter Elizabeth "Betsy" Handy.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, July 23, 2009 at 11:00 am from the Parkesburg Baptist Church, 103 West St., Parkesburg, PA 19365 followed by interment at Upper Octorara Cemetery, Parkesburg. Family and friends are also invited to attend the viewing at the church on Wednesday, July 22 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Jack's memory to the Parkesburg Baptist Youth Group, c/o Parkesburg Baptist Church at the above address or the Parkesburg Point Youth Ministry, P.O. Box 731, Parkesburg, PA 19365.
Funeral services have been entrusted to the Wilde Funeral Home of Parkesburg. Online condolences can be posted at www.wildefuneralhome.com
Condolences
Dear Carol and Family, Please
Dear Carol and Family,
Please accept by deepest sympathy. You are in my thoughts and prayers as you go through this difficult time.
I am sorry to hear of Jack's
I am sorry to hear of Jack's passing. I have fond memories of the little time I knew him. I am thinking and praying for the family and feeling much love for all of you.
So Sorry
Dear Carol and family,
I was so saddened to hear of Jack's passing. I know he was deeply loved by all of you. I also know that he no longer suffers. We send our love, prayers and condolences to the whole family.
Fondly,
Carol and Family
Such a amazing man
Dear carol and family,
Jack was an amazing man, he always had a smile on his face and could light up a room. We met jack about 10 years ago when he used to drive our school bus on 1st ave in parkesburg. Bus 31. Then when me and my sister got older he used to always come to turkey hill and drink a cup of coffee and stay there and chill until we had someone else come in when we were workin by ourselves. He would always look out for us and was a friend when you needed someone to talk to. Jack was like a second grandfather to dee and I. And we'll NEVER forget him. We are soo sorry for the loss Carol.
RIP JACK
YOU'LL GREATLY BE MISSED
Love,
Chrissy & Dee Bryson
My deepest and heartfelt
My deepest and heartfelt sympathy. Wishing you comfort at this sorrowful time.
You've lived as an example of what God wants of us!
Jack was a friend, an amazing man of God, and a person who put life in its right place. I will miss the smile, consultation and blessings that I received from Jack. Jack had a way of putting things in perspective. I know that the angel of heaven came down like a dove and said "well done, my good and faithful servant". Blessings to you Carol and family as you continue on.
My deepest sympathy goes out
My deepest sympathy goes out to all of you. Jack was a wonderful man and lived his life with Jesus in his heart. He never spoke an unkind word about anyone and he was always there to lend a helping hand. When I would stop the school bus at the "fuel" line with my son, Jack would always talk to him and then he reached in his pocket and gave him a piece of candy, or a pack of crackers, whatever Jack had he shared.
He's in heaven now watching over us, and I am thankful that I had an opportunity to know him. As my son would say thanks "Mr. Jack".
Another good guy has gotten his wings
We have lost a lot of "good guys" lately and Jack is certainly one of the best. As we were often told by his boss, Larry Althouse, no one ever heard Jack say a bad thing about anyone. He would just smile and shake his head rather than say anything bad. And we never heard anything bad about Jack, except maybe that he worked too hard.
Betsy has her Daddy by her side again. Rest in Peace Jack. You are now free of pain and suffering.
Carol & Jack McGrath
Deepest Sympathy
After all these years I still think of Betsy with the fondest of memories and many of those have to do with the way she regarded her family. I always felt like I knew Jack and for this I feel deeply sad to hear of his passing. Imagining Betsy and her dad reunited is a comforting thought. My heart goes out to Jack's family. Trusting Betsy's stories, he was a great man.
Deepest Sympathy
After all these years I still think of Betsy with the fondest of memories and many of those have to do with the way she regarded her family. I always felt like I knew Jack and for this I feel deeply sad to hear of his passing. Imagining Betsy and her dad reunited is a comforting thought. My heart goes out to Jack's family. Trusting Betsy's stories, he was a great man.
To the Handy Family, My
To the Handy Family,
My deepest sympathy during your time of loss. My thoughts are with you.
Sincerely,
Brigid Mann Nawrocki
Sincere and deepest sympathy
Sincere and deepest sympathy to the Handy family from the Mann's. We will keep you in our prayers.
Thinking of you
There are no words that can be said to comfort you or ease the pain you feel right now, if there are I don't know them.
There is not a family out there that is more kind and caring as yours. I think that says everything. I could only hope that I could touch as many lives as your family has. You are an amazing family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you!
Condolences - Jack Handy
Dear Carol and Family: Words cannot express how sad I am to hear of Jack's passing. I know that in reality it was a blessing because he was so very ill, but that does not take away the sorrow. We knew each other since the 6th grade. He was one of my long distance friends. We both served in Vietnam. We both had three beautiful daughters. Although we did not see each other often, we still knew we were friends. He and Charlie helped me move my one daughter twice, and the price was only my wife's lasagna. He was full of life and had a great sense of self. I am so very sorry that I am unable to be there on Wednesday or Thursday but please know my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. My deepest and heartfelt sympathy. Dave Patterson
You made it Jack!
It still hasn't sunk in that you've gone home. These past few months have been a struggle for you, yet you your incredible faith and trust in the Lord never waivered one bit. You have been a tremendous blessing to my family. Results speak for themselves, and lessons you taught my daughters in Sunday school and on mission trips helped shape their lives as they have both testified many times. You were always so easy to talk to, and you helped me through many chapters of raising my daughters. Thank you for allowing the Lord to use your life to reach so many people. I know that God touched the lives of our youth group and many people at Tel Hai through you in these last months, and you continued to express more concern for others than yourself right to the end. We are going to miss you, but we are rejoicing that you are home now. Things that you taught us will be with us forever. Thank you Jack!
Dear Carol, Ginny &
Dear Carol, Ginny & Sally,
Our sincere condolences on the death of Jack. We have been gone from there for several years, your family is one we have never forgotten.
Jack was like a second father to Erik and took both Erik & Lisa on some of his mission trips. I remember once when Jim was out of town, Jack came to our house at Erik's request after the death of Erik's black Labrador and took "Rex" to your farm and buried him there for Erik. That is just one example of his thoughfulness and kindness. Parkesburg and area has indeed lost a shining example of a true Christian.
With Love, Jim & Jeanne
Jack's legacy lives on......
Dear Carol, Ginny and Sally,
It is wonderful that Jack (and Carol's) legacy lives on in Sally and in Ginny (who I see more often). How can you sit and write just a few words about Jack Handy - in a few minutes. He lived several "lifetimes" and he was a gentleman in all of them! Valerie and I were absolutely thrilled whan Caitlin had Ginny for a teacher and we had a wonderful day at the farm when Jack took the class on a tour of the farm and a hay ride. Jack has passed the Lord's test here, an I know he is sharing heaven with John Patrick and with Betsy.
I'll miss Jack
Mr. Handy was a very imporant community figure and family friend. My deepest condolences to your family in this tough time. My memories of Jack and your family will always be in my heart- you are all in my prayers.
He is finally home.
Jack is finally in his true home... Heaven with his family members that have moved on. Our deepest sympathies go out to the entire Handy family. Jack was definitely "one of a kind". He was so awesome with the youth at the church. My children will NEVER forget him and we are all saddened he had to go, but relieved he is no longer in pain or suffering. He was so good with my kids. They will always remember him letting them ring the church bells!! Jack was an amazing example of a true Christian man and he will always be in our hearts. He will be missed terribly. God bless you all and may He give you the peace and healing only He can provide.
He will be missed!
Carol,Ginny,and Sally
Your father was a great man he will be sadly missed. But i know Betsy and the many others are there to greet him with open arms!
You are all in my thoughts and prayers....
Blessings to your Family
Carol and family,
I never ever saw Mr. Handy without a smile on his face. Please find comfort in knowing that he is doing just that right now.
Sending thoughts and prayers.
Jessica (Althouse) Prokay
Bill and I regret that we
Bill and I regret that we cannot be there to share this grief with the Family. While it is a sad, sad occasion, we recognize the great relief it brings to Jack and family.
We will never understand the suffering of this fine man, but take solace in knowing that all his suffering is now over. Jack has gone home and the streets of Heaven are lined with welcoming Angels.
We are there in spirit, thoughts and prayers.
Jack, you will always be "Jackie" to me.
Cousin Pam
Thinking of You
Dear Carol,Ginny and Sally,
I was saddened to read of Jack's passing. We moved to Ocala,Fl in Nov.2005 so I didn't know he was ill.Jack,Mr. Patterson and Pastor Crane were always my picture of the ideal father and husband. They were my standard since my dad was never around. Jack was always such a pleasant person.He showed his love for our Lord in the church and in the outside world.My grandsons always loved going to the nativity services with all the animals. It was part of a family tradition with us.May you feel His arms around you and His love always. I know Jack is up there with Betsy. What a wonderful and blessed thing to know where our loved ones are at!
Our Deepest Sympathy
Carol and Family,
When we first moved to Parkesburg in 1995 Jack, along with his twin brother Charlie Palmer, was one of the first people we met. Patti & I will remember Jack as someone who always lent a helping hand and as a builder of the Octorara community. He will be missed.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Ken & Patti Knickerbocker
Missing our friend.
Jack was a wonderful human being. Always happy and willing to help others in any way he could. What a great role model! I often said if I could pick one person to be like it would be Jack. God called home a true disciple. I pray that your family would find comfort in knowing how Jack lived his life and that Jack is at home with the Lord. I am honored to have known him as my friend. He will be greatly missed. I will continue to pray for you Carol, Ginny, Sally and family. Love Jody & Sharon
Extending sympathy
Dear Carol,
I never had the pleasure of meeting you, but I knew your husband. I am a cousin on the Abernethy side several times removed. Jack's mom was my mother's second ( I think) cousin. I have fond memories of going to the farm when I was a child and playing with Jack. I was only a few years older than he was. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you all. How sad that we never get to see each other when all is well and only seem to communicate when there is tragedy. We extend to you our deepest sympathy.
Our Heartfelt Sympathy to the Handy Family
May you find comfort in your memories. Jack was a very special person. He was kind, gentle and a loving man. His family, friends, and church were his life. He was always there to help a friend or anyone in need. Jack Handy was an angel here on earth.
He will be truly missed and fondly remembered by all. We send our deepest sympathy to Carol, Ginny, Sally and the family. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. God bless.
Fondly,
Gary, Betty, Jamie, Wendy, and Wanda
I will Miss My Friend
I have spent the better part of the last 2 1/2 school years in the "fuel line" with Jack. I will miss that smile every morning, no matter what the weather or how Jack was feeling. Jack will be missed, but I think when people remember Jack they will do so with smile on their face.