Vincent G. Handley

HYDE PARK, N.Y. — Vincent G. Handley, 62, a resident of Hyde Park, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008, at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie, surrounded by his loving family.

Vinnie was born on July 26, 1946, in Beacon, to the late Irene Lockwood Handley and George Handley. He attended St. Joachim's School and Church, where he served as an altar boy. He graduated from Beacon High School in 1964 and started his career with IBM. During his 30 years with IBM, he worked in Poughkeepsie, Fishkill and Raleigh, N.C.

After retiring from IBM, Vinnie worked for St. Francis Hospital as a warehouse manager and then moved to Orleans with his family. It was there that he worked with adults with disabilities at Nauset Inc.

In 1998, he and his wife became historical interpreters at Plimoth Plantation and then moved to their dream home on the beach in Manomet, Mass. Their time there brought him more joy than he had ever known, and he felt so privileged to be part of the Mayflower sail in 2001. This sail generated a book by National Geographic about the original sail in which Vinnie's picture is shown.

After returning to New York in 2001, Vinnie and his wife so enjoyed continuing to spend their days together, working as gardeners at an estate in Millbrook, and then caring for their wonderful grandchildren. He and his wife continued their love of historical interpretation at Mills Mansion in Staatsburg.

Vinnie leaves behind his loving wife of 24 years, Carol; and five children, Richard and Jill Handley of Farmingdale, Jody and Daniel Campbell of Hyde Park, Scott Tyner of Montague, Mass., Julie and David Gasparri of LaGrangeville, and Susan and Mark Christopher of LaGrangeville. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, Emily and Joshua Handley, Kate and Olivia Gasparri, Quinn, Elizabeth and Noah Christopher, and Daniel Campbell.

Surviving also are his two beloved sisters, Barbara Mika and her partner Mary, and Diane McDowell; his special nephew, James Mika; his niece, Jackie Mika and Joe, and his niece, Rosemarie Cooper, as well as many dear cousins, nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by his sister, Judith in 1970, his special cousin, Patricia Jenkins in 2007, and his beloved youngest son, Eric Tyner in 2001.

Everyone who knew Vinnie knows that his legacy to us is to live joyfully every day with gentle kindness to all. We will carry him in our hearts for eternity.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday (today), Oct. 4, 2008, at 2 p.m., at Trinity United Methodist Church, 8 South Cross Road, LaGrangeville.

There will be no calling hours; however, family and friends will be invited to gather with the immediate family afterwards. At a later date, Vinnie's family will scatter his ashes on all of his beloved beaches.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Make-A-Wish Foundation in his name.

Arrangements are under the direction of the McHoul Funeral Home Inc., 895 Route 82, Hopewell Junction. To send the family an online condolence, please visit www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.