John Handy

John J. Handy, Jr., 74, entered into rest on January 9, 2012. He had been in declining health for the past several years. The son of John and Leona Handy, he was a lifelong Gloversville resident. He was a devoted and loving husband to Joan Ann Handy for forty nine years. Mr. Handy was a graduate of the College of William and Mary and taught high school Social Studies for more than thirty years, mainly in the Amsterdam School District. He also coached football at Amsterdam High School for many years. He retired in 1992. Mr. Handy was a voracious reader and amassed a huge library over the years, with books on topics including military history, politics, westerns and historical fiction. He was a fan of the Yankees and Giants and spent many an afternoon and evening enjoying their games. However, his greatest joy in life came from his grandchildren and pets. He could always be seen on the sidelines of his son Scott's football games and later cheered on his grandchildren Zachary and Kacie Lynn at Gloversville High School football, basketball and field hockey games. When he was able to travel, he watched his daughter Gina compete with her Morgan horses. In addition to his wife, survivors include his daughter, Gina of Gansevoort; his son, Scott Lynn of Gloversville; two grandchildren: Zachary and Kacie Lynn; a sister, Judith Ferrara-Flanger of Gloversville and two nephews: John Ferrara of Auburn and Philip Ferrara of Gloversville. Family and friends are invited and may call Wednesday, January 11 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Walrath & Stewart Funeral Home, 51 Fremont Street, Gloversville, NY 12078. A prayer service will be conducted at 8:45 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. at The Church of the Holy Spirit, South Main Street, Gloversville. Interment will be at FernDale Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the James A. Brennan Humane Society, 437 Nine Mile Tree Road, Gloversville, NY 12078 or to the Gloversville Public Library, 58 East Fulton Street, Gloversville, NY 12078.