Dennis R. Handy

With great sadness, we announce the passing of Dennis R. Handy (88) of Coventry, RI on September 25, 2025, due to complications from heart disease.

Born on August 13, 1937, Dennis (Den) was the only son of the late Florence (Kidd) and Clayton Handy. He grew up in in Providence, RI and owned and operated gas stations in Warwick and Cranston before joining Ryder as a mechanic-where he toiled valiantly until his well-earned promotion to "The World's Happiest Retiree."

Throughout his 88 years, Den captured the hearts of all who knew him with his quick wit, insightful advice and dazzling blue eyes. Reserved by nature, he kept a close-knit circle to whom he was fiercely loyal. He met his best girl, Anne, on the midway at Rocky Point Park and together they enjoyed 61 years of marriage. They raised three loving daughters, surviving all the associated trials and tribulations with patience, persistence and (mostly) good humor. Den was a proud and adoring Poppy (grandfather)-always up for a game of mini golf or bowling. He was also an "animal whisperer" to the family's cats and dogs, and to nearly every pet he met.

Den and Anne pursued an active lifestyle-boating in their younger years, and later biking along America's rail trails, road-tripping through National Parks, and boogie boarding side-by-side on the shores of Rhode Island, California and Florida. A jack-of-all-trades with a boundless thirst for knowledge, Den could build, fix or explain just about anything-from souping up cars to building furniture, and from programming computers to explaining the inner workings of the Internet. He was a lifelong music lover and left behind priceless playlists of his and Anne's favorite songs, including Linda Ronstadt, the Eagles and Carly Simon. Den was also an avid football fan who followed the Giants and the Patriots. A quick study of comedy greats like George Carlin and David Letterman, he could crack a perfect joke (or limerick) to make even the toughest moment lighter. We certainly miss that talent right now.

Dennis is survived by his devoted wife, Anne (Neary) Handy; his three daughters: Laurie Pechulis and her husband Matt, Julie Handy and her husband Andrew, Vicki Cole and her husband Jason; and his two granddaughters: Elizabeth and Katherine. Though we can imagine the incredible welcome he's receiving from the friends and family who have gone before him, he will be forever missed and remembered by those of us who remain.

At Dennis' request, his services and burial will be private.