Obituary of Joseph Neil Handel

Joseph Neil Handel, 62, of Manalapan, NJ passed away on Saturday, January 18, 2025 at CentraState Medical Center in Freehold, NJ. Joseph was born in Brooklyn, NY and worked for 33 years as an Electrical Foreman at Madison Square Garden in New York.

His greatest joy was being a devoted husband to his wife Diane, and a proud father to his sons Alexander and Michael. There was nothing he loved more than caring for his family.

Joe loved the energetic pulse of life at The World's Most Famous Arena. While at home, he enjoyed spending his time outside, tending to his garden and greenhouse. His home away from home was Cape May, where his toes were in the sand, watching 2pm dolphins and colorful sunsets. A talented home chef, Joe took great pride in his frequent trips to grocery stores and local Italian markets, collecting ingredients to make scrumptious meals for his family. That included special snacks and treats for his two grand-fur-babies Chico and Pistachio, who had become his miniature partners in crime. 

He is survived by his loving wife Diane; his son and daughter-in-law Alexander and Hillary of Easton, PA; his son Michael and his fiancée Gabriella of Jersey City, NJ and his parents Aaron and Sheila Handel of Tamarac, FL.

A visitation will be on Wednesday, January 22, 2025 from 2:00-6:00pm at the Freeman Funeral Home Manalapan, 344 Route 9 North, Manalapan, NJ 07726. Interment will be on Thursday, January 23, 2025 at 11:00am at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 225 Ridgedale Ave, East Hanover, NJ 07936. To find directions, or to leave a message of condolence, please visit our website at www.freemanfuneralhomes.com.



Elvis has left the building.