By Chris Lundy and Alyssa Riccardi
SOUTH TOMS RIVER – Mayor Gregory Handshy was remembered as someone who was not only dedicated to his town and its people, but to the country.
Handshy died on August 21 at the age of 66. He was elected mayor in 2019 and previously served as a councilman from 2013 to 2015 and again from 2017 to 2019.
A memorial gathering will be held on September 11 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Anderson Campbell Funeral Home in Toms River, according to his obituary.
“I knew him to be someone very dedicated to the town in particular and to the community in general,” said Joseph Champagne, who was mayor before him. “He was a very caring individual, a great listener. He’s going to be really missed.”
When they were on the governing body together, they worked on capitol improvements, the establishment of the environmental commission, and creating the town’s seal. Champagne said after his own term, Handshy carried on with these projects and even more. He also recalled the mayor reading to South Toms River Elementary School students.
When Champagne learned that he was a veteran, his dedication to the town and to the country was put into perspective.
“I thank his family for being at his side and being supportive of him,” he said. “This is a leader that will certainly be missed. He did mark and touch our lives.”
The politics in South Toms River isn’t as ruthless as in other towns. Handshy and Champagne were Democrat mayors. A long-time Republican member of the council, Oscar Cradle, also had fond memories of the man, despite arguing about issues.
“He did a lot of good work for South Toms River,” Cradle said. “He was well-respected and well-liked.”
One issue that he praised Handshy on was cleaning up Crabbe Road. The area used to have dozens of derelict boats. It was redeveloped to have updated docks and a restaurant.
“He was pivotal in that,” Cradle said. “It was because of his hard work that it got done.”
The mayor was up for re-election. It is unknown at this time what the ballot will look like.
Handshy is survived by his wife of 36 years, Shirley; his sister Kathee Rankin and brother-in-law Frank; and nieces and nephews Harmony, Evelyn, Faith, Frank Jr., Rhaya, Cameron and Darran. His parents, Emery and Evelyn Handshy, and his sister Beth predeceased him.
Handshy grew up in the Silverton section of Toms River and lived in South Toms River for more than 30 years, the obituary states.
He previously served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and also began as an apprentice pipefitter in 1977 with Plumbers and Pipefitters Local Union 9 in Englishtown. He continued this career for 35 years before retiring in 2012.
The obituary states Handshy enjoyed golfing, fishing, Island Beach State Park and walks with his dog Cedrick.
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