J. Thomas Handy, 75, passed away Sept. 27, 2006. He spent his final days surrounded by his family in the home of his daughter after an intense battle with cancer.

Tom was born in Seattle on June 5, 1931 to Virginia and Robert Handy. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1950, served in the U.S. Navy, attended the University of Washington, and graduated from the University of Wisconsin — Stout where he completed his bachelor’s degree in Industrial Education. Later, he earned a master’s degree in automotive engineering at the University of Michigan.

He married Lenora Ginsbach in 1955 and they had four children.

Tom worked for Ford Motor Company in Detroit, Mich. from 1957 until 1974, during which time his responsibilities required extensive international travel, including a two year assignment in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He also taught auto mechanics at the high school and community college level.

In 1974 he returned to his native Seattle and his family resided on Mercer Island. Tom worked for PACCAR for 28 years and was involved in the development of PacLease. He retired in 1992.

In his youth, Tom spent a great deal of time on Vashon Island and later, his family spent weekends on Whidbey. He longed to spend more time in this rural island setting and became a permanent resident in 1984. In 1986, he married long-time Island resident, Joan Grider. Then for eight years, he was on the 5:30 a.m. ferry with his coffee and newspaper, and commuted to work in Bellevue.

Tom enjoyed his “retirement years” for only three days before deciding to pursue a career in real estate.

In 1993 he became an agent for Tara Properties in Freeland, (now Coldwell Banker-Tara Properties), and went on to become a licensed broker.

He was very involved in the Realtor’s Association at the regional and state levels where he served in various capacities including; president of the Whidbey Island Association of Realtors, director of Whidbey Island RPAC, director of government affairs, and served on the financial board of the Washington State Association of Realtors. In 2006, he received the first “Realtor of the Decade Award” from the Whidbey Island Realtor Association, and the RPAC Plus medal from the Washington State Association of Realtors.

In his spare time, he also served on the EvergreenBankCorp Board of Directors (1986 until his death), served on board of directors for the Island County Museum, and was a member at Useless Bay Golf Club.

He was a loyal friend, a creative businessman, and had strong political advice for anyone who would listen. His passions included Husky football, boating, fishing and tending his oysters. He will be missed by his many friends and family.

Tom is survived by his wife, Joan; stepmother, Marjory Handy; mother-in-law, Jean Grider; sister, Susan Chambers; stepsister, Julie Callahan; children, J. Thomas Handy Jr. (Debbie), Lori Handy Wedlake, Gina Handy, Kimberly Handy-Boyce (Mike); grandchildren, Ashley Wedlake, James Thomas Handy III, Michael Boyce, Aaron Boyce, Brock Wedlake, Jonathan Handy and Robert Handy; stepdaughters, Cathy Hammond (Mark), Lynn Worthy; and step-grandchildren, Jared Hammond, Chelsea Hammond, and Mitch Worthy.

Memorial Services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Freeland.