“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
On this day we celebrate the Home going of our beloved, Gregory LaConnie Handy, who quietly slipped into eternal rest on Friday, February 8, 2019 at Coastal Hospice at the Lake in Salisbury, surrounded by his family.
A TIME TO BE BORN: Gregory LaConne Handy, son of the late Elmer Ballard and Maizie T. Handy began his earthly journey, August 10, 1956 in Salisbury, Maryland.
A TIME TO LIVE: Greg’s early childhood was spent in Mount Vernon where he received his formal education. His Christian education began in the home of his mother, the late Maizie T. Handy and adopted father, Allen Handy, Sr. Gregory accepted the Lord as his personal savior at Mount Hope A. M. E. Zion Church in Princess Anne, Maryland.
Gregory graduated from Washington High School in Princess Anne, Maryland and later attended Maryland State College in Princess Anne, Maryland, Rets Electronics for computer training in Baltimore, Maryland and Wor-Wic Community College in Salisbury, Maryland.
One of Greg’s greatest joys was traveling by way of “tractor trailer.” He enjoyed long distance driving during his employment with Warner Trucking Company, Walmart and Perdue. His affiliations with those companies afforded him the opportunity to cover 48 states! He was also employed by WMDT Channel 47 Television as well as several radio stations; WJDY, WICO, WESM and 99 where he served as a radio talk host.
Gregory was also an avid musician. He loved to play the keyboard and sing occasionally with Princess Anne’s finest, “The Zionaires.” He also shared his gift of music with his home church, neighboring churches and other singing groups.
Among travelling and singing, Greg was very active in the Maizie T. Handy Scholarship Fund and was proxy at TMCC, became “Uncle Greg” to Jaxon, Damion, Aubrie, Loyalty, Tamia, Timmy and Avery. He enjoyed sewing, cooking, working on computers and interacting with others. Greg LOVED people! His life was devoted to reading, studying, helping others, giving advice and sharing life experiences with all those he’d meet. Greg was a man of great faith! Even as his health started to fail, you could always count on him to offer a word of encouragement, as well as share in the goodness of the Lord.
A TIME TO MOURN: Gregory leaves to cherish his memory: his adopted father, Allen Handy, Sr.; one daughter, Traci (Marvin) Moore; three grandchildren, Malissa, Madison and Colin all of Baltimore, Maryland; three brothers, Allen Handy Jr, of Bowie, Maryland, Todd Handy of Princess Anne, Maryland and Kevin Ballard of Brooklyn, New York; two sisters, Sharon Little of Salisbury, Maryland and Diahl LaVie of Connecticut, a devoted Godmother, Margie Dickerson of Princess Anne, Maryland, a devoted aunt and caretaker, Linda Taylor of Princess Anne, Maryland, and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Greg was preceded in death by his brother, Guy Handy.
“A chapter completed, a page turned, a life well lived, a rest well earned.”
A funeral service will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, February 16, 2019 at St. James United Methodist Church in Westover with a viewing one hour prior. A viewing will also be held 6:00 – 9:00 PM Friday, February 15, 2019 at the church. Interment will be at Mt. Hope A.M.E Zion Church in Princess Anne.
3 Responses
Gregory, Has been a friend since he was learning the road as my trainee at Werner Enterprises, and become more like a brother. Something minor happened I think it was he got the truck stuck and was ready to quit but I saw something in him and talked him into sticking it out. This took us onto years of friendship. From talking mostly on the phone often to the time to time we would see each other in our travels. When his first major health issue came up ending his driving he reached out to me for advice and thank God it was good advice and he followed it, giving us years more to bond. Without his Aunt Linda and her care he was able to get back on his feet from that. Last August I was able to take my vacation and travel to his home for a visit face to face truly a blessing to see his face light up and seemed to pick up his sprits. What I do not know is I also was blessed to see him and meet several of his family members. My condolences to his entire family and friends!!! RIP my Brother Greg!
I never forget the time in 1987 you took me to my first interview for Corrections Officer in Baltimore, you were very nice person then and even while you were alive. Now your gone never to be seen or heard from again, you now rest with Jesus, my heart rejoices that you are with Cousin Hittie and the rest of the heavenly host, I will miss you Greg very much you will forever be in my heart.
Over the past decade or so, it’s become my habit to send out New Year’s e-mail greetings to friends and colleagues, old and new. It’s a way to let folks know that they remain in my thoughts and my heart, and to wish them well for the 12 months to follow. I mention this for a reason that I’ll return to. In the mid-90s, Greg and I worked together at WESM for not quite two years. In the quarter century since leaving the employ of UMES, he and I were in contact only a small handful of times — I think we saw one another in the flesh once, had 2-3 phone conversations, and we had a few Skype text chats. Every exchange reminded me of what an extraordinary soul he had. No matter the passage of long stretches of time, Greg was one of those rare friends who, the moment you started talking with him, it was like you had just seen him yesterday. The last time we were in touch, he texted me one evening, seemingly out of the blue. If memory serves, he was on the road somewhere. It was a pleasant surprise and we had a swell conversation. If there would have been no other reason for me to return to the Eastern Shore, to get together again with Greg would have been it. Well, I sent him a New Year’s greeting in ’20, but didn’t hear back. I thought nothing of it because I never expect anything in return from anyone (although, of course, it’s nice when people do reply). I knew that sooner or later we’d be in contact again. I sent a greeting in ’21. Again, no reply. As I had Greg’s mobile phone number, yesterday, I decided to see if he would appear in my list of WhatsApp contacts. He didn’t. Then, I got a cold shiver. I Googled his name. And there it was. Bereft, I stared for the longest time at that photo of him, smiling that smile. So, I’m horribly late in mourning his loss and in passing along my sincerest condolences to his nearest and dearest. Still, I want to offer those sentiments now. I’m the last person in the world to tell you that Greg Handy was smart as a whip, that he was clever, insightful, and witty as all get out, and that he was engaging, emotionally intelligent, and just plain ol’ fun to be around. All those things you knew well. I do want you to know that I had nothing but love and admiration for the man, and will miss him and continue to think of him for the remainder of my days. Rest in peace, Greg.