Joseph P. Handzel

1926 - 2025

UTICA - Joseph P. Handzel, passed away on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at the Sitrin Health Care Center.

Joe was born on September 26, 1926, in Utica, NY, the youngest of his siblings born to the late Bartholomew and Magdalena (Handzel) Handzel. Joe was a WWII U.S. Army Veteran, proudly serving his country first in the Philippines and later in Korea.

On September 11, 1948, he was united in marriage to the late Helen V. Zagraniczny in Holy Trinity Church, resulting in a blessed union of over seventy years of wedded joy. Joe was employed first at the West End Brewing Co. in Utica, and later at the Continental Can Co. in Paterson, NJ. Joe returned to Utica to be ultimately employed by Bendix Aerospace until his retirement in 1988 after thirty-seven years of loyal service.

In June 2001, Joe was very pleased to receive his high school diploma from the Utica School District under a NYS law applicable to qualified veterans of WWII. In June 2017, Joe also received the NYS Medal for Merit for his service to his country.

Joe was a gentle, kind, loving man who would not hesitate to help others when a need arose. He could also, at times, be a child at heart. Joe truly enjoyed children; willingly getting down on the floor and actively playing many games with them, whether they be nephews, nieces, grandkids, or great-grandkids. Joe was also a corny joke teller, which gave many in his presence a good laugh.

Joe was a lifelong parishioner of Holy Trinity Church in Utica, where he was active in the making and selling of pierogis, the running of BINGO games, the Polonaise Seniors, the Jan Robak PLAV Post #8, and the West Side Senior Center.

Joe also enjoyed going fishing on the St. Lawrence River at Clayton and Alexandria Bay, as well as playing BINGO, and participating in games of chance at Holy Trinity Church, the West Side Senior Center, Orchard Hall Restaurant in Sauquoit, and an occasional bus excursion to Turning Stone Casino.

He is survived by his children, Richard (Doris) Handzel and Carol Schulze; grandchildren, Lisa (Justin) Jackson, Kari (Michael) Schiano and Dr. Michele Handzel (Adam Roeder), Andrew Schulze (Karen Chartrand) and Bradley Schulze; great-grandchildren, Paul and Clara Jackson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his siblings and their spouses, Adam (Joan) Handzel, Walter (Jenny) Handzel, Francis (Gladys) Handzel, Mary (Mathew) Kaczor and his in-laws, Mary and Walter Pawloski, Joseph and Regina Zagraniczny, Stanley and Mary Zagraniczny, and Stella and Stanley Romas.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated on Tuesday, April 22, at 11:30 a.m. at Holy Trinity Church. Those who wish may call on Tuesday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at McGrath, Myslinski, Kowalczyk & Nunn Funeral Directors, 470 French Rd., Utica. Entombment will take place in Resurrection Chapel Mausoleum at Holy Trinity Cemetery.

Joseph's family would like to acknowledge and thank all the doctors, nurses, and health care staff at Sitrin for the compassionate and professional care provided to Joe.

Memorial contributions, in his memory, may be made to Holy Trinity Church, 1206 Lincoln Ave., Utica, NY 13502 or Wounded Warrior's Fund, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-8516.

Messages of sympathy at www.kowalczykfuneralhomes.com.