Raymond Francis Handel

Obituary for Raymond Francis Handel - Daddy Prepared with love by his children, Linda, Jerilyn and Raymond Raymond F. Handel, Sr., of Spring Hill, FL, returned to God on August 26, 2026. He passed peacefully in the presence of his wife of 70 years, their three children: Linda, Jerilyn and Raymond, and one of their seven grandchildren: Carolyn, at Sturgill Hospice House in Brooksville, FL. As a loyal N.Y. Yankees fan, Raymond grew up in Newark, NJ. He was the son of John and Florence Handel, and older brother to Patricia (Roma) and Helen (Luongo). He graduated from St. Antoninus Elementary School and St. Benedict's Prep, in Newark, NJ. Raymond was a drummer in St. Lucy's Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps and was later the manager when the Corps captured National Championship in 1968. He served in the U. S. Army as a medic overseas during the Korean War and was honorably discharged with two distinguished medals. Raymond married his beautiful, green-eyed sweetheart, Shirley Colatrella, on June 9, 1956, at St. Lucy's Church in Newark, NJ. They had four children, Linda Ann, Renee (deceased), Jerilyn, and Raymond, Jr. They first lived in Newark, NJ, and later moved the family to Old Bridge, NJ. Ray worked as a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service in Newark and Old Bridge for 32 years. He was a longtime parishioner of St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Old Bridge. Ray was a 3rd Degree member of the Knights of Columbus Council #4815 in Old Bridge, and later Council #11877 in Spring Hill, FL. He loved going to the beach, to Yankees games, taking the extended family to Great Adventure, crabbing with his son. You could always find him playing catch in the backyard or watching an Abbott and Costello movie and listening to Chuck Mangione and Herb Albert with the family. Ray volunteered as an umpire and worked the concessions for Old Bridge Little League for eight years. He was also the Booster Club President for Cedar Ridge H.S. 1980-84. In 1989 Ray retired from the post office; he and Shirley moved to Florida, living out a lifelong dream. Along with enjoying his pool and visiting Walt Disney World with his children and grandchildren, he was a driver for Hernando County School District. Ray and Shirley continued their lives of faith as members of St. Theresa Catholic Church in Spring Hill. Raymond is survived by his beloved wife, Shirley, his children, Linda Ann (Clapsis), Jerilyn (Polson), and Raymond Jr., and grandchildren: Maria Stuckey (Clapsis), Carolyn Van Steen (Clapsis), Tommy Polson, Sarah Polson (Crossan), Michael Polson, Rachel Handel, Katelyn Tackach (Handel), and great grandchildren: Dustin Crossan, Derek Van Steen, Evan Van Steen, and Lillianna Crossan. Condolences may be sent to the family at the Handel home in Spring Hill, FL. The family will receive friends from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM on Monday, August 31, 2026, at Michael Hegarty & John Vincent Scalia Home For Funerals and Cremation Service, 3377 US Highway 9, Old Bridge, New Jersey. A Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 AM on Monday at St. Thomas the Apostle located at 1 St Thomas Plaza Old Bridge, New Jersey 08857. Entombment will be at Holy Cross Burial Park & Mausoleum. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.HegartyScaliaFuneralHome.com

Raymond Francis Handel

April 12, 1933 - August 25, 2026