Obituary of Richard L Handley

Dick Handley died March 1, 2009 at St. Elizabeth Medical Center, comforted by his children and their spouses.He was born July 16, 1926, of Francis H. and Margaret (Burns) Handley in Utica, NY. He attended Utica Free Academy, leaving in 1944 to join the United States Navy serving in the Pacific. Dick was a well-known local football player at UFA and later with the East Utica Vets and St. Anthony's in the Eastern Football League. Dick married Doris Nelson on July 30, 1949 in Utica. Doris died in May 1986. Dick worked for over 35 years for the West End Brewery and was close personal friends with both Shultz and Dooley. Dick was a skilled craftsman and loved working with wood. He and his wife Doris owned and operated Colonial Restorations in Clinton. Later Dick worked for the Clinton Manor Apartments.Dick is survived by his six children and their spouses, Richard Jr. (Tambrey) of Ballston Lake, NY, Dawn (Paul) Morris of Utica, Dale (Robert) Parr of Sauquoit, Russell (Debbie) of Clinton, Donna (Horace) Knight of Clinton and Dana (Robert) Walsh of Clinton. Dick is also survived by a brother and sister-in-law, Robert A. and Betty Handley of Franklin Springs; a sister, Betty McCallister of Coco Beach, FL; 13 grandchildren; 21 nieces and nephews and his canine friend, Mickey. He was predeceased by his wife, Doris; daughters, Susan and Robin; brothers, John, Edward and Martin and sisters, Marion Looft and Beatrice Hollenbeck.Funeral services will be held at 10am Wednesday, March 4, 2009 at Owens-Pavlot & Rogers Funeral Service, Inc, 35 College St., Clinton. Burial with military honors will be at Crown Hill Memorial Park. Friends are invited to call Tuesday from 2-4 & 7-9pm at the funeral home.In lieu of flowers, consider a contribution to the Richard and Doris Handley Memorial Fund (at CCS) c/o 28 Bradley Rd, Utica, NY 13501 or American Heart Association.The family would like to express its sincerest gratitude to the staff at St. Elizabeth's for their care for Dick and support shown to the family.