Obituary for Fredric T. Hand
Fredric T. Hand, Sr. 87 of Wall, NJ
Fred T. Hand, Sr "DUKE" passed away January 17, 2023 just shy of his 88th birthday. After a short hospital visit, he wanted nothing more than to return to his home of 60+ years. It was there in his own bed, surrounded by family he decided to join his wife Carol, and his son Timmy for dinner at 5:00 pm. Timmy was late. Fred was born March 5th 1935 in Jersey City to Joseph T. Hand and Winifred Hand (nee Mundt). Fred attended St. Aloysius grammar school K-8. From there his educational ride took him to the Peddie School in Hightstown, Stevens Prep in Hoboken and he graduated from Manasquan High School in 1953. This is where he met Carol A. Smith the first time. It was a classic HS football star meets cheerleader story. They began dating soon after while at Monmouth Junior College when Carol's car ('49 Mercury) broke down and needed a ride home. Fred and Carol married in 1956 and were blessed with 4 well behaved sons; Joseph Christopher "Sim" (Deneen), Fredric Thomas Jr. "Himer" (Nancy), Timothy Donald "Wabo" (Helen), and Patrick Aloysius "Perk" (Linda). Unfortunately Timmy had an early call up, so he's helping mom ready up for dad.
Fred proudly served his country for 3 years with the 250th Armored Division NJ National Guard and 3 years with the 78 Lightning of Fort Monmouth. Fred's employment resume is quite simple. He worked as a mason for a short while and helped build his one and only home in South Wall. After that he got a job as a bridge inspector for the Garden State Parkway (GSP), 45 years later he retired as a GSP Maintenance Supervisor, for a 90 mile stretch from Bricktown to Cape May.
Some of his activities are as follows: Charter member and Treasurer of the Sterling Woods Homeowners Association. Manager, Coach and member of the South Wall Little League. Member of the Pt. Pleasant Athletic Club. Member of the Central Jersey Rifle & Pistol Club. Lifetime member Manasquan Elks. Member of the 1000 Friends Club. Manager and player of the Wammer-Jammers Volleyball Club, and the HomeBoys Athletic Club, both Shore area dynasties, and First ballot Hall of Fame for both clubs. Duke was a sports nut. He was recruited out of H.S. for football from Notre Dame, UPenn, and Delaware. Instead he decided to work for the family business in Jersey City. He ended up playing semi-pro football for the Jersey Shore Yellow Jackets.
In the early years Duke kept busy after family and work. In the evenings he bowled, played Volleyball, and Tennis. On a nice day in the Fall, you would find him surf-fishing with his brother Jeff or Uncle Gooper. Fred played softball until the cows came home. This included fast-pitch, modified , and slow-pitch. He won Gold Medals representing NJ in the Senior Olympics in both slow-pitch and volleyball. Whew! He was Duke on the courts and on the fields.
When his body began to wear, he shifted his focus to the Church. He and Carol were parishioners and volunteers at The Church of St.Uriels The Archangel in Sea Girt. Fred served the vestry and was a member of the Brotherhood of St. Andrews. He also served on the out-reach program, and probably gathered 1 ton of aluminum tab tops over 20 years for the Ronald McDonald House, Long Branch. With this effort countless of children received free treatments and visiting parents stayed for free on site. Once a month Fred and the Church - Brothers of St. Andrews would cook, delivered and served meals to out of place parents.
Fred was predeceased in life by his mother and father Winifred (nee Mundt) Hand Joseph T. Hand, his wife of 65 years Carol Anne (nee Smith) Hand, his son Timothy Donald Hand, his sister Germaine (nee Hand) Metzger, half-sister Jane Abbott, and daughter in law Michelle (nee Shulman) Hand. Surviving are his brother Jeffery Hand (Connie). His sons: Sim (Deneen), Himer (Nancy), and Perk (Linda). His Grandchildren: Kellee (Reid), Dana (Mike), Kendal (Marc), Jamie (Chris), Carly (Cory), Katrina, Erika, Madelyn, and Emilee. Great Grandchildren: Maisie, Charlee-Mae, Cameron, Beau, and Rosalie. Also surviving is his sister- in-law Jean Bell, brother-in-law Marty Metzger, best friends for life Pat & Al Keith, many, many nieces and nephews and friends.
Duke spent his whole life making friends, working hard, and playing hard. He could be peaceful ruler or a fierce competitor. Fred and Carol started something special when they got together, (after he probably disconnected her battery and they eventually wed), he used his simple masonry skills with her to build a foundation of a family that will last
forever, and that will be their Legacy.
Near the end of this life, as he was crossing the creek, he was blessed with the greatest group of navigators: Neighbor Jeff Thompson, and a special team of Nurses Nancy, Cathy, Anne, Maggie, and Dr. Priscilla. More thanks to the VNA Hospice Care as a whole. The Hand family will be forever grateful to his live in companion Comfort, handpicked by our dear friend Kim S. from Meridian Home Care.
Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Thursday, February 2, 2023 from 4 pm - 7 pm at Orender Family Home for Funerals, 2643 Old Bridge Rd, Manasquan, NJ 08736. The Funeral Mass is Friday, February 3, 2023 at 1 pm
at St. Uriels the Archangel, 219 Philadelphia Blvd, Sea Girt, NJ 08750. A Celebration of Life will be Saturday, February 4, 2023 from 12:00pm - 4:00pm at the Manasquan Elks, 17 Stockton Lake Blvd, Manasquan, NJ 08736. In lieu of flowers, please collect your tab tops and drop them off to St. Uriels The Archangel Church in Sea Girt, or to any Hand family household. This was Duke's passion. To send condolences to the family please visit www.orenderfamilyhome.net.
Fred T. Hand, Sr "DUKE" passed away January 17, 2023 just shy of his 88th birthday. After a short hospital visit, he wanted nothing more than to return to his home of 60+ years. It was there in his own bed, surrounded by family he decided to join his wife Carol, and his son Timmy for dinner at 5:00 pm. Timmy was late. Fred was born March 5th 1935 in Jersey City to Joseph T. Hand and Winifred Hand (nee Mundt). Fred attended St. Aloysius grammar school K-8. From there his educational ride took him to the Peddie School in Hightstown, Stevens Prep in Hoboken and he graduated from Manasquan High School in 1953. This is where he met Carol A. Smith the first time. It was a classic HS football star meets cheerleader story. They began dating soon after while at Monmouth Junior College when Carol's car ('49 Mercury) broke down and needed a ride home. Fred and Carol married in 1956 and were blessed with 4 well behaved sons; Joseph Christopher "Sim" (Deneen), Fredric Thomas Jr. "Himer" (Nancy), Timothy Donald "Wabo" (Helen), and Patrick Aloysius "Perk" (Linda). Unfortunately Timmy had an early call up, so he's helping mom ready up for dad.
Fred proudly served his country for 3 years with the 250th Armored Division NJ National Guard and 3 years with the 78 Lightning of Fort Monmouth. Fred's employment resume is quite simple. He worked as a mason for a short while and helped build his one and only home in South Wall. After that he got a job as a bridge inspector for the Garden State Parkway (GSP), 45 years later he retired as a GSP Maintenance Supervisor, for a 90 mile stretch from Bricktown to Cape May.
Some of his activities are as follows: Charter member and Treasurer of the Sterling Woods Homeowners Association. Manager, Coach and member of the South Wall Little League. Member of the Pt. Pleasant Athletic Club. Member of the Central Jersey Rifle & Pistol Club. Lifetime member Manasquan Elks. Member of the 1000 Friends Club. Manager and player of the Wammer-Jammers Volleyball Club, and the HomeBoys Athletic Club, both Shore area dynasties, and First ballot Hall of Fame for both clubs. Duke was a sports nut. He was recruited out of H.S. for football from Notre Dame, UPenn, and Delaware. Instead he decided to work for the family business in Jersey City. He ended up playing semi-pro football for the Jersey Shore Yellow Jackets.
In the early years Duke kept busy after family and work. In the evenings he bowled, played Volleyball, and Tennis. On a nice day in the Fall, you would find him surf-fishing with his brother Jeff or Uncle Gooper. Fred played softball until the cows came home. This included fast-pitch, modified , and slow-pitch. He won Gold Medals representing NJ in the Senior Olympics in both slow-pitch and volleyball. Whew! He was Duke on the courts and on the fields.
When his body began to wear, he shifted his focus to the Church. He and Carol were parishioners and volunteers at The Church of St.Uriels The Archangel in Sea Girt. Fred served the vestry and was a member of the Brotherhood of St. Andrews. He also served on the out-reach program, and probably gathered 1 ton of aluminum tab tops over 20 years for the Ronald McDonald House, Long Branch. With this effort countless of children received free treatments and visiting parents stayed for free on site. Once a month Fred and the Church - Brothers of St. Andrews would cook, delivered and served meals to out of place parents.
Fred was predeceased in life by his mother and father Winifred (nee Mundt) Hand Joseph T. Hand, his wife of 65 years Carol Anne (nee Smith) Hand, his son Timothy Donald Hand, his sister Germaine (nee Hand) Metzger, half-sister Jane Abbott, and daughter in law Michelle (nee Shulman) Hand. Surviving are his brother Jeffery Hand (Connie). His sons: Sim (Deneen), Himer (Nancy), and Perk (Linda). His Grandchildren: Kellee (Reid), Dana (Mike), Kendal (Marc), Jamie (Chris), Carly (Cory), Katrina, Erika, Madelyn, and Emilee. Great Grandchildren: Maisie, Charlee-Mae, Cameron, Beau, and Rosalie. Also surviving is his sister- in-law Jean Bell, brother-in-law Marty Metzger, best friends for life Pat & Al Keith, many, many nieces and nephews and friends.
Duke spent his whole life making friends, working hard, and playing hard. He could be peaceful ruler or a fierce competitor. Fred and Carol started something special when they got together, (after he probably disconnected her battery and they eventually wed), he used his simple masonry skills with her to build a foundation of a family that will last
forever, and that will be their Legacy.
Near the end of this life, as he was crossing the creek, he was blessed with the greatest group of navigators: Neighbor Jeff Thompson, and a special team of Nurses Nancy, Cathy, Anne, Maggie, and Dr. Priscilla. More thanks to the VNA Hospice Care as a whole. The Hand family will be forever grateful to his live in companion Comfort, handpicked by our dear friend Kim S. from Meridian Home Care.
Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Thursday, February 2, 2023 from 4 pm - 7 pm at Orender Family Home for Funerals, 2643 Old Bridge Rd, Manasquan, NJ 08736. The Funeral Mass is Friday, February 3, 2023 at 1 pm
at St. Uriels the Archangel, 219 Philadelphia Blvd, Sea Girt, NJ 08750. A Celebration of Life will be Saturday, February 4, 2023 from 12:00pm - 4:00pm at the Manasquan Elks, 17 Stockton Lake Blvd, Manasquan, NJ 08736. In lieu of flowers, please collect your tab tops and drop them off to St. Uriels The Archangel Church in Sea Girt, or to any Hand family household. This was Duke's passion. To send condolences to the family please visit www.orenderfamilyhome.net.