John William Handzel Sr.

John William ''Bill'' Handzel Sr., a.k.a. J. William, 72, died Nov. 28, 2005 of cancer. The son of the late John Peter Handzel, a.k.a. Hansel, and Henriette Handzel, nee Dulski, he was a native Chicagoan educated by the Vincentians at DePaul, Christian Brothers, St. Mel and Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth. The crowning moment in his religious service life was being invited to accompany John Cardinal Cody to Rome for his investiture and an audience with Pope Paul VI. Handzel was an emeritus educator who taught at Niles West High School (1960-95). An innovative teacher, coach, director and administrator, Handzel created ways for his students to create and circulate petitions, the power of letter writing to elected officials, the fun of being involved in the political process going door-to-door, researching family trees, and consumer shopping. Since 1958 he officiated basketball, baseball and volleyball as a member of the Illinois High School Association (IHSA). He was a member of the Athletic Officials Service (AOS) since 1970 and was inducted into their Honorary Members hall by his fellow Officials when he retired in 2002. A dedicated unionist, he was the first public employee to ''hit the bricks'' for better conditions as a member of the #1274. As a Political Action Committee Chairman, he personally brought the local union into Bill Lee's Chicago Federation of Labor by attending meetings and getting involved. He also was a longtime member of the Teamsters #727. He volunteered throughout his life to serve others and his community service spanned decades, including serving as a founding member of the Frank Quilici Boosters, Niles West High School's Interscholastic Boosters and St. Ann's Civic Improvement League. He served as president of the Skokie Historical Society and Skokie Valley VFW Baseball League, where he also coached. He also organized food, clothing and book donations to inner city centers in the Pilsen area. For this work, he was selected one of North Shore Magazine's Volunteers of the Year in 1985. Handzel served as the Executive Director of the Niles Township Republican Organization and held positions on the Skokie Environmental Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals, along with serving as a presidential elector from the 9th Congressional District and on its military academy screening committee. At the time of his death he was a Trustee on the Oakton Community College School Board. Handzel served his country in the Army's 1802nd Special Regiment at West Point from '54 to '56, then went on to complete his undergrad degree from DePaul University and his Masters in Education at Indiana University. He was also a registered Funeral Director. Four children, John Handzel, Mark Handzel, Elizabeth Coldstream and Will Handzel; and six grandchildren, Katherine, Allison, Vanessa, Christian, Theodore and Jack survive him. Family and friends are gathering at Riggio's Restaurant, 7630 Oakton Avenue, Niles, IL, 847-698-3346 on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2005 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Memorials can be made to the Evanston Northwestern Hospital Kellogg Cancer Center. Bill wished to extend eternal peace to all for the Masses, prayers, calls, rides, flowers and gifts given on his behalf. He felt you were with him daily and it made a difference.