Julius Handelman

Julius (Jay) Handelman died on Sunday, August 12, 2012 from multiple myeloma cancer. He was 77 years old. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 45 years, Joel Kern Handelman and by his parents, Rachael and Meyer Handelman and by his sister Esther Tudzin. He is survived by his daughter, Susan Constant Greenberg of Weston, FL, son David of Shreveport, son-in-law Dr. Michael Greenberg of Weston, FL, granddaughters Allison and Sarah Constant and step-grandsons Ari and Benjamin Greenberg.

Mr. Handelman was deeply devoted to his family and to his Jewish heritage. His hobbies included visiting major league baseball parks throughout America (25 different parks in all), studying and reading numerous histories of World War II, researching and collecting old time radio programs, and collecting music of the 30s, 40s and 50s.

Born and raised in Yoakum, TX, he won the Texas high school debate championship in 1953. He graduated from Tulane University in 1957 with a degree in Journalism. He also studied broadcasting at the University of Houston in the summers of 1953 and 1954 and worked at radio stations KNAL in Victoria, TX in the summer of 1955 and KULP in El Campo, TX in the summer of 1956. Upon graduation, he served six years in the U. S. Army Reserves, including six months active duty at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, and Fort Hood, TX.

Mr. Handelman worked for the City of New Orleans for 23 years, beginning in 1957. He was public relations director of the New Orleans Recreation Department (1957-1970), assistant director of public relations for the City and deputy press secretary to Mayor Moon Landrieu (1970-78), and director of the Office of Public Information and Press Secretary to Mayor Ernest “Dutch” Morial (1978-1980). He joined the Freeport Sulphur Company in 1980 as director of public affairs and in 1985 became director of media relations and public relations for Freeport-McMoRan Inc. He retired from Freeport in 1993 and served as a public relations consultant to the company until 2000.

He served as chairman of the boards of the Public Affairs Research Council (PAR) 1999-2001 and Louisiana Council on Economic Education 1987-1989 and president of the Touro Synagogue Brotherhood 1973-75. He also served on the boards of the United Way of Greater New Orleans, Touro Synagogue, Anti-Defamation League, Jewish Family Service, Kingsley House, Council for a Better Louisiana (CABL), Press Club of New Orleans, Louisiana Association of Broadcasters, Louisiana Press Association, WYES-TV public television, Better Business Bureau, Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), and the Mineral Information Institute. He served on the public relations committees of the National Mining Association, Louisiana Chemical Association, and the Mid-Continent Oil & Gas Association. Mr. Handelman served on the Loyola University School of Communication Visiting Committee

Mr. Handelman reigned as King of the Plaquemines Parish Orange Fair & Festival in 1987.

A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, August 16, 2012 at 11:00 AM from Touro Synagogue, 4238 St. Charles Ave. with Rabbi Alexis Berk officiating. A reception will follow. Private interment in Hebrew Rest Cemetery. Kindly omit flowers. Memorials are suggested to Touro Synagogue or M. D. Anderson Cancer Center (Myeloma), P. O. Box 4486, Houston, TX 77210. Tharp-Sontheimer Funeral Home of Metairie in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be expressed online at www.tharpsontheimer.com. Information please call (504) 835-2341