Howard Woodrow "Woody" Handy Jr.

Howard Woodrow "Woody" Handy, Jr., loving husband of Margaret Ann Gibbens Handy for 50 years and son of the late Howard Woodrow Handy, Sr. and Lucy Prowell Handy, died peacefully on August 13th at the age of 74. A native and lifelong resident of New Orleans, he was preceded in death by his sister, Pamela Lucy Handy. He is survived by his sons Howard Scott (Yshanne) and Kevin Ryan (Lynanne Ciurus); and three grandsons Christian, Ryan, and Matthew Handy. He attended St. Rita Grammar School in the Carrolton area of New Orleans and graduated from De La Salle High School. Woody was a member of Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity at Southeastern Louisiana College where he earned a BA Degree in Business Administration. He proudly served in the United States Army Reserve, Military Intelligence, from 1967 – 1972. Woody began his career at Chevron, USA as a purchasing agent in the finance department. He continued to advance through the company for thirty years until retiring as a Health, Environmental and Senior Safety Engineer. After retirement Woody returned as a consultant for Chevron Overseas Petroleum, Inc., as a Senior Safety Engineer for major capital projects all over the world including, Africa, Papua New Guinea and in the Gulf of Mexico. During his 44 years with Chevron, he received numerous safety awards and was highly respected throughout the company and in the HES field. He touched the lives of many and made friends wherever he worked. Guided by his Catholic faith, Woody was a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather and loyal friend who always put others before himself. A parishioner of St. Matthew the Apostle parish, he was a daily influence in his sons' and grandsons' lives and taught them through his actions about living a good life. He loved traveling, getting together with good friends for Monday Night Football, and spending time with his lifelong friends. He was a golfer and tennis player. He served for several years on the Board of Directors of New Orleans Oilmen's Tennis Tournament and was NOOTT Chairman in 1992. Woody was a true New Orleanian. From his youthful days working the concessions at Audubon Park and throughout his life visiting the French Quarter for major events, he loved and embraced the culture. Whether attending Mardi Gras parades, Saints games or enjoying a roast beef poor boy, Woody's love of the city never wavered. His happy go lucky attitude was a perfect match with his hometown and he always went out of his way to make visitors feel welcome – Woody never met a stranger. He always had a "can do" attitude and never found anything impossible – to Woody, there was always a way. Visitation for friends and family will be held on Monday, August 20, 2018, at St. Matthew the Apostle Church in River Ridge, Louisiana, at 10:30 AM followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Holy Cross Memorial Scholarship Fund, Advancement Office, 5500 Paris Avenue, New Orleans, LA, 70122. Online donations: http://www.holycrosstigers.com/apps/pages/memorialgiving or to St. Matthew the Apostle Church, 10021 Jefferson Hwy, River Ridge, LA 70123. The family invites you to share your thoughts, fond memories, and condolences online at www.lakelawnmetairie.com.