Obituary for Donald James "Donnie" Handy
Donald “Donnie” James Handy
December 20, 1946 - December 3, 2020
ADDISON - Donald “Donnie” James Handy, 73, passed away at home with his family around him on December 3, 2020. He was born December 20, 1946, the son of James Merrill Alley and Dorothy Gray Alley, and was raised by his loving grandparents Maynard and Florence Gray of Addison.
A graduate of Addison High School and Washington County Normal School in Machias, Maine, Donnie earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and went on to teach business courses for 26 years at Penquis Valley High School in Milo, Maine. He retired in 1994 and he and his wife Judy returned to Addison, where Donnie dug marine worms and lobster fished for several years.
Donnie was a jack-of-all-trades. There was nothing he couldn’t do. He built two of his own homes and helped to build several others for family members. He always put others first and was prepared to lend a helping hand in any situation.
Donnie enjoyed movies and old western shows, he collected model cars and enjoyed riding around in his 1958 Chevy Biscayne, but above all, he enjoyed his family. He was a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather. He married Judy Crowley Handy on March 6, 1971, and was very much looking forward to celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this coming March. He also loved spending time with his three grandchildren, all of whom he was extremely proud of.
Donnie was predeceased by his father James Alley, grandparents Maynard and Florence Gray and Charles and Rita Alley, an aunt, Beatrice Gray Huntley, an uncle, Ralph Gray, and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Keith and Daphene Crowley.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Judy, who lovingly cared for him throughout his illness; and his daughter Donna Eldridge and husband Dave of Bowdoin; and three grandchildren, Emily Eldridge of Bowdoin, Eagan Eldridge of Bowdoin and his girlfriend Cassy Kane of Topsham, and Elyssa Eldridge of Bowdoin and her boyfriend Laughlin Hentz of Harvard, MA. -all of whom shared in his at-home care and stayed by his side around the clock.
He is also survived by his mother Dorothy Alley of Hancock, five sisters: Donna F. Alley of Beals, Gail Fickett and husband David of Harrington, Kathy Doyle and husband Richard of Ellsworth, Karen Sawyer of Ellsworth, and Rita Kelley of Florida; five brothers: Gary Alley and companion Sharon McAuley of Addison, Daniel Handy of Milbridge, Larry Alley and companion Adele of Hermon, James Alley and companion Joelle of Addison, and Charles Alley and wife Libby of Virginia; three sister-in-laws: Jean Crowley of Addison, Jessie Alley and husband William of Addison, and Jane Look (who assisted in Donnie’s at-home care) and husband Raymond of Jonesport; two brother-in laws: Keith “Ubbie” Crowley Jr. of Addison and companion Rebecca Skinner of Harrington, and James Crowley and companion Becky White of Addison. Donnie is also survived by several special aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins, as well as a very special niece, Holly Tyler of Addison who shared a birthday with him and assisted Judy in his at-home care.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Donnie’s name to the Lewy Body Dementia Association - Go to lbda.org to donate.
Condolences and memories may be shared with the Handy family at www.mcclurefamilyfuneral.com
December 20, 1946 - December 3, 2020
ADDISON - Donald “Donnie” James Handy, 73, passed away at home with his family around him on December 3, 2020. He was born December 20, 1946, the son of James Merrill Alley and Dorothy Gray Alley, and was raised by his loving grandparents Maynard and Florence Gray of Addison.
A graduate of Addison High School and Washington County Normal School in Machias, Maine, Donnie earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and went on to teach business courses for 26 years at Penquis Valley High School in Milo, Maine. He retired in 1994 and he and his wife Judy returned to Addison, where Donnie dug marine worms and lobster fished for several years.
Donnie was a jack-of-all-trades. There was nothing he couldn’t do. He built two of his own homes and helped to build several others for family members. He always put others first and was prepared to lend a helping hand in any situation.
Donnie enjoyed movies and old western shows, he collected model cars and enjoyed riding around in his 1958 Chevy Biscayne, but above all, he enjoyed his family. He was a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather. He married Judy Crowley Handy on March 6, 1971, and was very much looking forward to celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this coming March. He also loved spending time with his three grandchildren, all of whom he was extremely proud of.
Donnie was predeceased by his father James Alley, grandparents Maynard and Florence Gray and Charles and Rita Alley, an aunt, Beatrice Gray Huntley, an uncle, Ralph Gray, and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Keith and Daphene Crowley.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Judy, who lovingly cared for him throughout his illness; and his daughter Donna Eldridge and husband Dave of Bowdoin; and three grandchildren, Emily Eldridge of Bowdoin, Eagan Eldridge of Bowdoin and his girlfriend Cassy Kane of Topsham, and Elyssa Eldridge of Bowdoin and her boyfriend Laughlin Hentz of Harvard, MA. -all of whom shared in his at-home care and stayed by his side around the clock.
He is also survived by his mother Dorothy Alley of Hancock, five sisters: Donna F. Alley of Beals, Gail Fickett and husband David of Harrington, Kathy Doyle and husband Richard of Ellsworth, Karen Sawyer of Ellsworth, and Rita Kelley of Florida; five brothers: Gary Alley and companion Sharon McAuley of Addison, Daniel Handy of Milbridge, Larry Alley and companion Adele of Hermon, James Alley and companion Joelle of Addison, and Charles Alley and wife Libby of Virginia; three sister-in-laws: Jean Crowley of Addison, Jessie Alley and husband William of Addison, and Jane Look (who assisted in Donnie’s at-home care) and husband Raymond of Jonesport; two brother-in laws: Keith “Ubbie” Crowley Jr. of Addison and companion Rebecca Skinner of Harrington, and James Crowley and companion Becky White of Addison. Donnie is also survived by several special aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins, as well as a very special niece, Holly Tyler of Addison who shared a birthday with him and assisted Judy in his at-home care.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Donnie’s name to the Lewy Body Dementia Association - Go to lbda.org to donate.
Condolences and memories may be shared with the Handy family at www.mcclurefamilyfuneral.com