Sunday's Obituary ~ Harry Handler (1922-2016)

HANDLER, HARRY - age 93 of Ventnor, N.J. passed away [on March 7, 2016] lovingly surrounded by his family.

Harry was born in Akron, Ohio. He moved to the Atlantic City area in 1950 to help his older brother Art start an appliance and tire store in Atlantic City. Harry's expertise as a salesman and his youthful energy to do whatever was asked of him, contributed tremendously to what became a highly successful appliance store - still in business today. Harry was the manager of the second store located in Pleasantville. While manager, he met many Pleasantville residents and quickly made a reputation as someone who could offer appliances for every budget - from top-of-the-line to "used but not abused" (his favorite expression). Generation after generation came in to buy appliances, always asking only for Harry.

Harry served his country honorably during WWII, stationed in New Guinea. Tragically, his two older brothers - Alfred and Louis - were killed within 15 days of each other, tragedies that sent Harry stateside for the remainder of the war with the responsibility of guarding German POWs.

After his retirement from the appliance store, he loved to tend to his vegetable garden where he grew tomatoes, eggplant, and zucchini. Harry was not the type to sit in a rocking chair letting time pass; he always kept busy, either finding chores in the house or outside tending to his plants and vegetables. In fact, keeping busy was key to his longevity. He was a tough guy who survived three different cancers, finally succumbing at 93.

He loved to make his family laugh, often mimicking the catch phrases of popular television commercials. He loved old gangster movies starring James Cagney, Edward G. Robinson, and John Garfield.

Surviving is the love of his life Anita Handler (married 64 years); sons Joseph (Jodi), Mark (Linda), Alan (Michelle) and Steven (Elizabeth) Handler; grandchildren Melanie Caruso (Chris), Kenneth, Rachel, Jesse, Daniel, David and Matthew Handler; also, many nieces and nephews. Harry is predeceased by his parents Joseph and Lena Handler; brothers Arthur, Alfred, and Louis Handler; sisters Belle Dorman and Margaret Levine.

~~~~~~~~~

Thank you to Mark Handler, who wrote this obituary and gave permission for me to share it on my blog.