Michael Dean Handy, 84, of Southbridge MA, formerly of Medway MA, passed away peacefully at home on March 8, 2026 following a brief illness.
Born in Hartford, CT on October 22, 1941, he was the oldest child of Marion and Samuel Handy. Michael was raised in St. Johnsbury, Vermont with his four siblings, grandparents, many aunts, uncles and cousins. Always an avid athlete, Mike was one of the first boys to be drafted into the newly formed St. Johnsbury Little League, and played football and basketball for St. Johnsbury Academy. He graduated from the Academy in 1959 and enlisted in the US Army in 1960. During his time in the service, he served in Germany during the Berlin crisis.
Upon an honorable discharge, Mike returned to St. Johnsbury in 1963 where he met his first wife, Betty Hanley, whom he married on November 14, 1964. They were married 44 years at the time of Betty’s passing in December 2008. Mike and Betty’s two sons were born in St. Johnsbury; the family moved to Brant Rock, MA, where Mike was the manager of the Marshfield Package Store. In 1978, they moved to Van Nuys, CA where Mike went to work at the UCLA Medical Center as the procurement manager overseeing 20+ surgical operatories. In 1991, Betty’s job took them to Dillon, CO where Mike became the procurement manager for Keystone Symposium, overseeing the arrangements for multiple conferences on molecular biology across the US. Ultimately, they moved back to Massachusetts in 1995 where they settled in Medway, MA. Until his retirement, Mike was the sales manager for Cambridge Healthtech Institute.
Mike was a charter member of the Marshfield (MA) Elks Lodge #2494, being a member from its inception in 1973 until his passing. He was a member of the VFW and the American Legion. Mike loved horseracing, gambling (he always thought the big one was going to come in) and all sports. Mike made friends wherever he went; he never knew a stranger and everyone loved him for his dry wit and sense of humor. He always had a personalized ‘line’ for the people in his life and would repeat it to them every time he saw them to make them smile. One of our cousins said it best - “Michael was our whole family legacy.” As a child, Mike was a favorite of his grandfather Handy and likewise, his grandsons Alex and Chris were his favorites.
In 2010, Mike met his second wife Diane Trahan. They were married in May 2013. Their journey together took them to Florida for a few years and then a return to New England in 2019. Diane was by his side every day in his last few weeks of illness.
Mike is survived by his wife Diane Trahan of Southbridge MA, his son Rich and Ann Handy of Franklin MA, his daughter-in-law Cathy Handy of St. Johnsbury VT, his grandsons Christopher Handy of Franklin MA, and Marc McCullock of St. Johnsbury VT, his siblings: Linda Sparks of Westmore VT, Netcy and Barb Handy of Georgetown TX, Jeff and Terri Handy of Gainesville FL and Andi Handy of Georgetown TX, sister-in-law Marie and Richard Paradis of Greenville NC, brothers-in-law Ed and Linda Timson, and Carroll Macie both of Lunenburg VT, Ronald and Judy Trahan of Wadsworth IL, Diane’s children Anthony Ziolkowski of Coventry RI and Marissa Ziolkowski of Coventry RI, and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was predeceased by his parents, grandparents, first wife Betty Hanley Handy, son Mark Handy, grandson Alex Handy, brothers-in-law Dr. J. Michael Sparks, Harry Hanley, Bobby Hanley, and sister-in-law Neva Macie.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, March 19 at 11 am at St. Joseph Church, 151 Village St, Medway MA. The Handy family and friends will gather at the Ginley-Crowley Funeral Home, 3 Barber St, Medway MA ginleyfuneralhomes.com on Wednesday, March 18 from 4 to 6 pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions could be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital https://www.stjude.org/ in Michael’s memory.