Irving Handel

Irv Handel, beloved husband, father, grandfather (the “cool papa”), great grandfather, brother, uncle and friend passed away on June 8, 2018, after a brief illness. He lived a great life in his 75 years. Irv was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and moved to Lodi with his family in 1956. He graduated from Lodi High School, attended Delta College and worked various jobs before landing at UCB, United California Bank, where he worked as a banker in the field of lending, and was destined to meet the love of his life, Linda, who was working for the Bank of Stockton. A fellow banker and mutual friend introduced them at the Encore in Stockton and the rest was history. They married in April of 1969 and celebrated 49 wonderful years of marriage.

After UCB, Irv worked at Long’s Drug Store wearing many hats that he enjoyed. It was through a family connection that Irv became involved with Luxury Pools, where he worked for many years, learning the business. When the owner of Luxury Pools decided to retire, he suggested Irv open his own business and “Irv’s Pool and Spa Service” was born. Irv was a perfectionist in his work and ran his one-man business by design, purposely serving every client personally, treating their pool or spa as if it was his own. Over the years, his business grew from many happy referrals and his clients turned into good friends. He retired in 2008 to join Linda in her retirement from the bank, and their annual vacation to Mexico, which started out as a week per year, turned into a month per year. Irv spent time hunting, and especially enjoyed his Africa, Argentina and Colorado excursions. He also loved trap shooting with family and friends, and became reacquainted with golf, a game he learned in his younger years. He was a meticulous gardener and applied his tender loving care to his own yard, especially enjoying his bright, blooming flowers. Irv was a lifetime member of the Stockton Rod & Gun Club and a member of the Stockton Trap and Skeet Club. Irv was known for his kind heart and would do anything to help someone in need. He was a man’s man, intelligent, passionate and funny, and a straight shooter. He loved his family and friends deeply and enjoyed life to the fullest. He will be forever missed and loved.

Irv is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Linda; his sons, Irving Handel, Jr., Ralph Handel (Tuesday), and Jeff Couch; sister, Donna Hamilton (Rick); daughter-in-law, Mona Buchwalter (Robert); grandchildren Amber Couch, Helena Handel, Kenneth Handel, Krystal Negrette and Tiffany Negrette; and great grandchildren Cianni Negrette and Taliah Frazier. Irv is preceded in death by his parents, Harvey and Marie, and his great-grandson, Thomas Frazier, Jr.

Visitation will be Thursday, June 14th, 2:00-7:00 p.m. and the Funeral Service will be Friday, June 15th, 10:00 a.m., both at De Young Memorial Chapel, 601 N. California Street in Stockton. Donations can be made in Irv’s memory to the Stockton Rod & Gun Club, 3120 Monte Diablo Avenue, Stockton.