Joseph “Joe” Handlin
July 14, 1976 - April 15, 2024
Joseph “Joe” Handlin, age 47, of Newark, DE, tragically was taken from this world on Monday, April 15, 2024.
Joe was born in Darby, PA on July 14, 1976. Joe attended Holy Angels School and was a Class of 1994 graduate of Christiana High School. He was an accomplished wrestler, an altar server at Holy Family Church and was an altar server at the National Cathedral on two different occasions. He was a proud Delaware FFA member, member of St. Michael Council 4548 K of C, member of Cardinal Gibbons Assembly 150 4th Degree, and a frequent volunteer with Special Olympics of Delaware. He was a former employee of Discover Bank and was currently working for Bank of America as a Senior Client Services Team Manager.
Joe loved long trips to North Wildwood where he met many lifelong friends and his wife Krista. He meticulously planned many crabbing and fishing trips and orchestrated beautiful moments with his loving family. If he was on the beach, he was in the ocean, trying to catch the perfect wave while bodysurfing. Known for his Joeisms, he loved to dance, sing all the wrong words to any song, cheer as loud as he could at any event, and make anyone he could laugh constantly, especially himself. He was his biggest fan. Joe loved living a block away from his parents, as their garage was his favorite hardware store to use for his many projects around his new home. He loved being outside planting flowers and his annual family farm. He was strong in the force, a great volleyball dad, and an avid Lego assistant. While he loved his family and friends dearly, he also cherished his prized possessions: his stinkin’ blinkin’ coffee mug, his lush lawn, and his Tesla, also known as Blue J. Although he left us too soon, his legacy will live on through his children, loved ones, and the lives he saved by being an organ donor through the Gift of Life.
Joe was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, John and Anna Mae Handlin; his maternal grandparents, Charles and Marie Bissell; aunt, Joanna Rainville; and his forever best friend, his brother Sean Handlin. He is survived by his wife, Krista; children, Joey, Julie, and Kenna; his parents, Michael and Marian Handlin; brother, Michael (Jennifer); sister, Marian (Christopher); five nieces and nephews, Kelly, Lizzy, Kloud, Jack, and DASH; his in-laws, Michael and Margaret James; brothers-in-law, Stephen Goodwin and Frank Goodwin (Tess). He is also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and coworkers who helped create many memories throughout his life, whether it was helping with a project around his house, scoring a touchdown at the annual family football game, making memories throughout the Wildwoods, or laughing at his insane jokes.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 10 am until 12 pm on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at Holy Family R.C. Church, 15 Gender Road, Newark, DE, where a Mass of Christian burial will be offered at 12 pm. Interment will follow in All Saints Cemetery, 6001 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, DE.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joe’s memory to the Delaware FFA Foundation in Memory of Joe Handlin, 401 Federal Street, Suite 2, Dover, DE 19901 or online by clicking here, or to the Gift of Life Donor Program, make checks out to “Transplant Foundation” and mail to: Gift of Life Donor Program, 401 N. 3rd. St., Philadelphia, PA 19123 or online by clicking here.
Gina Sanguinetti
My heartfelt condolences to you and your family. Blessed to have met Joe on several occasions. A fine man. Love and prayers always.
Staci Lewis
Mike and family,
I’m so sorry for your loss. You all will be in my prayers.
Peggy Dawson
Our family sends our deepest condolences. The video keepsake was beautiful and shows the love of family that was evident in each interaction we had with Joe. With our prayers and sympathy, the Dawsons family
Lisa Hoffman
Johnny 5 gonna miss you, that random rapping, your laugh and your overall presence. We worked together for many years. You always kept us up to date with Joe farmer, the family what child is doing what. You were 100% a family guy. I remember the day you burnt down the tree in the parking lot lol fun times. Hopefully many people are living a fuller life with your organ donations. Thank you for being you and embracing everyone. Johnny 5 forever will be missed.
Katie Williams
Sending my condolences.
Joe taught me a lot over the past few years. I was very fortunate to work with him and call him a mentor.
Thanks for all your help and hard work, Joe. You won’t be forgotten.
Rita Garland
What a wonderful guy. That smile will be missed. Loved having him as part of the catechist team for 5th grade this year with his Mom. No words can heal the hurt. Praying the wonderful memories you all hold in your hearts will give you some consolation.
Peggy Issitt
Sorry for the loss of this beautiful soul. God Bless him and his family.
Melanie Hurlock
From my family to yours, sorry for your loss, sending prayers for your family.
Brittani K
To Joe’s family: I’m so very sorry for your loss and was so sad and shocked to receive the news about Joe. I worked with Joe at BOA and we were so lucky to have a manager like him. He lit up the room with his kind smile and always made me laugh with a corny joke and the funny nicknames he gave his peers (mine was “Kinderrific” or “Kindertastic”depending on the day haha). He would make his rounds to all of the other teams at the end of his day just to say “Good job today, thank you for being here and thank you for your hard work”. Even though he wasn’t my manager, I’ll never forget that he was the first and only person to take the time to immediately help me and teach me how to use our old backup system “TSYS” one night when our systems went down and I was still a panicked new hire, fresh out of training. He dropped what he was doing and stayed calm for both our sakes and guided me through my calls for the last 2 hours of my shift, teaching me the program as I went so that I wouldn’t have to be “thrown to the sharks”; I never forgot how to use it after that night and was so grateful to Joe for caring about what happened to me as a new hire/his coworker and for caring about the client experience. It was so nice to be in the company of such a genuine, upbeat, outgoing and motivating person because that truly is rare to have in the workplace! Joe was such a positive influence on others and I know he will be missed by everyone who knew him. Praying for you (his family and friends) during this challenging time <3
Geraldine Dandieu
Chère famille de Joe,
C’est avec une profonde tristesse que j’ai appris le décès de Joe. Même après toutes ces années, les souvenirs de Joe, lors de sa venue en France, restent intacts. Mes pensées et mes prières vous accompagnent en ces moments difficiles. Puissiez-vous trouver du réconfort dans les souvenirs heureux que Joe a laissés derrière lui et dans le soutien de vos proches.
Avec mes plus sincères condoléances,
Géraldine
Melanie Townsend Milburn
What a beautiful tribute!
I want to send my deepest condolences to your whole family.
Madoulaud jerome
Je suis de tout cœur avec vous dans cette nouvelle épreuve. Joe était un homme d’une gentillesse extraordinaire. Il va laisser un vide immense dans le cœur de ses proches.
Kristin (Gargani) Manley
I’m so incredibly sorry for your loss!! I went to high school with Joe and graduated with Sean. Joe and I were close friends and went on many trips with FFA and both held positions in the club. Joe always made me laugh and put a smile on my face. He was always so friendly and a good friend. He will be missed! Thinking of his family and sending love!
Marta
I am so sorry! Haven’t seen him in years but he was such an amazing happy and caring person… my condolences to his family
Love from Spain
Wayne Ripper
I am beyond saddened with this news. Although It has been a long time since we’ve talked, some of my most favorite memories I have are of my cousins Joey and Sean working on the boardwalk with my sisters and I. We would just laugh all the time. They both will forever be in my heart. My life was made better by us getting close. My deepest condolences to everyone. This is not an easy post to make.
Stephanie Puissegur
The late queen Elizabeth II said “grief is the price we pay for love”. It is clear that Joe was so, so loved and that, in turn, he radiated love, joy and laughter to those around him. The grief from his passing is a hard price to pay for all that he brought to so many, but there should also be great comfort in knowing that there was so much love for him that he will always be remembered.
Sending much love to all his family and friends, and a special hug to my Commando Buddy Mike.
Melody Duffy
Mike and Marian, so very sorry to hear of your son’s passing. The obituary and pix were wonderful honoring of his life. Love sent to you and your family.
Gina
My heart goes out to you and your family please let me know if you need anything, Sending hugs your way. Love you guys.
Danielle and Philippe BILLAND
We offer you our deepest condoleances
Danielle (mother of Stephanie from BORDEAUX) and Philippe BILLAND
Darin Stuiber
Marian and family we are so sorry to hear the news about Joe. So many great memories of spending time with with Joe at work, playing fantasy football for many years. I remember great conversations driving him to rehab up in the West Chester area. Just a great guy!! Our condolences, Darin & Terri.
Cheryl Sindoni
My heartfelt condolences to Marion, Mike and the rest of the family. I pray for your family’s comfort.
Naulleau
Nous sommes de tout cœur avec vous pour la perte de Joe. Nous partageons vôtre peine et nous vous présentons nos condoléances les plus sincères.
Brigitte et Jean-Paul Naulleau.
Jennifer L west
My heartfelt condolences to the entire family. I went through holy angels and Christiana with him graduating the same year. He was a very bright light he will truly be missed.
Jen
Amélie et Nicolas
Toutes nos pensées vont à la famille de Joe. Toutes nos condoléances.
Nico et Amélie (Biarritz)
Alain Cerisier
Bouleversé par ce terrible événement, j’adresse à toute la famille mes sincères condoléances suite au départ de Joe.
Je garde dans ma mémoire les bons moments passés ensemble.
Soyez assurés de toute mon amitié et de mon soutien.
Nicole Madoulaud
Que Dieu accueille Joe dans son repos éternel. Mes prières sont avec vous et votre famille en ces moments difficiles. Toutes mes condoléances à Michael , Marian, les enfants de Joe ,et son épouse et son frère et sa sœur
R. Hicks
Mike and Marian,
We can’t imagine your pain. I hope can cherish that Joe made this world a far better place and enriches heaven. May God bless you and your family.
Xavier
Slt joe mes souvenirs de nos escapades de la coupe du monde 98 a bordeaux resterons à jamais dans ma mémoire. Tjrs souriant. Notre dernière escapade a bordeaux lors de ton dernier passage à été très sobre et dans mon anglais français nous nous comprenions. Un homme que n’oublierai jamais. Courage à la famille.
Wilfredo Vargas
The Vargas family sends our deepest condolences. May Joe RIP.
Tina Coover Ramsey
I am so sorry to hear about Joe. We grew up together along with Sean in Salem Woods. We had a lot of fun times back then. I know they are both together again. Your family is in my prayers. ❤️
Audrey C. Jones
Mike, my sincerest condolences to you and your family. May you all find some semblance of comfort in the memories of Joe.
Anthony Iannelli
I am so very sorry for your loss. Joe was so much fun at work and always made me laugh. Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.
Nidia Jones
With extreme sadness , and heavy hearts, we hope to bring a measure of comfort, to the Handlin Family. Joseph was my daughter Marie McRae’s manager at Bank of America and Marian Handlin his mother was my manager, Nidia Jones at Discover Card. As a family both were a joy to work with. We always appreciated the happy smiles and kindness shown to all the employees, because that was their individual nature and way of life, that made our jobs so much easier. We look forward to the time, described in the bible book of {Revelations 21,3,4 says God will wipe every tear from their eyes and death will be no more ,neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away. During this time in our near future , Jesus also said there will be a resurrection of those sleeping in death. { John 5:28,29 } those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out. The time is coming when we will see and welcome back our dead love ones, not to ever die again, but to live forever on a paradise Earth , Jehovah God’s original purpose for all mankind . Draw comfort from the Scriptures and Trust in Jehovah God words , that by means of his son Jesus Christ , this prophesy will be accomplished in our lifetime ! This is the Bible’s Hope, that gives us the Strength to Endure our all of our trials because we trust in Gods promises soon to come ! Many Prayers going your way !
Kerry McGuinness Dabbraccio
Sending my deepest condolences. You and your family are in my prayers.