Joseph S. Handy

Joseph Solomon Handy, 70, of 5 Sandy Pond Parkway, Bedford, NH died February 17, 2001 at Catholic Medical Center in Manchester, NH. He was born in Newport, VT on July 1, 1930, the son of William and Marion (Gollib) Handy, Lebanese Immigrants to the United States. He had been a Bedford resident since 1977. He graduated in 1952 from St. Michael's College in Winooski, VT with a BA degree in Sociology and earned a Masters degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Boston University in 1963. He served in the United States Air Force from 1952 to 1956. Mr. Handy began his career in social services in 1957 as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for the State of Vermont. In 1964, he became the Director of the Residential Care Department for the Brandon Training School in Brandon, VT, a school for the mentally retarded. In 1964, he became the Assistant Superintendent of Brandon Training School. Mr. Handy was then selected by Governor Salmon in 1973 for the position of Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services. From 1977 to 1985, he was the President of Crotched Mountain Foundation, a private facility for the disabled. After suffering a heart attack in 1984, Mr. Handy returned to work as Director of Special Projects for Crotched Mountain Foundation and later as Vice President of Crotched Mountain Community Care, Inc. From 1985 to 1990, he sponsored the Foster Grandparents Association and in 1986, established a case management service in Portsmouth, NH for home and community-based elderly and disabled persons and established a case management program for Elderly with Alzheimer's Disease and related disorders. He retired in 1990. After retirement, Mr. Handy worked on a part-time basis as a Program Specialist for the New Hampshire Division of Human Services, on a Jobs and Basic Skills Program mandated by the Family Support Act of 1988 to assist mothers on AFDC to prepare for and enter into suitable employment. From 1991 to 1993 he was Vocational Specialist for Work Opportunities, Unlimited. He was also appointed by the Governor to work on the NH State Committee on Aging. He also served on the NH Department of Health and Human Services Medical Advisory Committee, NH Governor's Commission on Disability and the NH Commission on Independent Living, Health and Human Services Commissioner Long Term Advisory Committee and the Governor's Task Force on Motor Vehicle Fatalities. He remained a consultant to Crotched Mountain Foundation in Greenfield, NH and was a member of the Advisory Council of the Crotched Mountain Foster Grandparent Program. He was also a member of the Southern NH Elder Care Council, Greater Manchester Commission on Aging, Advisory Committee to Easter Seals and Tomorrow's Choices. At Catholic Medical Center, he served as Eucharistic Minister and Chairman of the Prime Time Advisory Council. As a devoted Catholic, he was the first charter member of the Consolers of the United Hearts of Jesus and Mary Lay Apostolate. He was a daily communicant, Eucharistic Minister and member of the Fix It Team at St. Elizabeth Seton Parish. Joseph Handy was a man who put the needs of others above his own. Family members include his wife of 42 years, Annette (Brunelle) Handy; two sons, Gregory C. Handy of Gorham, ME and William J. Handy of Hooksett, NH; three daughters, Jo-Ann Handy of Bedford, NH, Catherine Handy of New York, NY and Mary Handy-Trisciani of New City, NY; twelve grandchildren, Zachary, Bridget, Clare, Mary-Grace, Joseph S., Joanna, Michael, Laura, Caitlin, Mary, Sarah and Emma; and many nephews, nieces and cousins. Calling hours will be at Phaneuf Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 250 Coolidge Avenue, Manchester, NH on Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 PM. Rosary services will be conducted in the funeral home on Tuesday at 3:00 PM and 6:30 PM and on Wednesday morning at 9:15 AM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday morning at 10:00 in St. Elizabeth Seton Church, Bedford. The family requests that no flowers be sent. Instead, Masses may be offered for the repose of his soul or memorial donations may be made to the Crotched Mountain Foster Grandparents Program, To view an online memorial, send a condolence or for more information, go to www.phaneuf.net.