Curtis Edward Handley

Curtis (Curt) Edward Handley, 60, of Mokena, IL passed away on September 14th, 2024 at the University of Michigan Hospital after a hard-fought, courageous, five-year battle with metastatic cancer. Curt passed with the love of his life, Mary Handley, by his side. 

Born June 10, 1964 in Mattoon, IL to the late Bill and Frannye Handley, Curt grew roots across Illinois and Michigan. He attended the University of Illinois for his B.S. in Computer Science and Engineering, where he met Mary in a class they shared. She remembers how intelligent and thoughtful he was, sitting in the front of the class asking questions. Curt once said that she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen sitting in the back of a class. Best friends, these two were rarely apart, sharing life on life’s terms together.

Curt and Mary moved to Michigan, where Curt pursued his law degree and fatherhood. In Lansing, MI, they had one daughter, Jacqueline, whom he loved dearly. Up until the end of his life, Curt loved the deep conversations and humor he shared with his daughter throughout all their journeys together. He was so proud of all of her accomplishments, including her Ph.D. In his own education, Curt received his J.D. from Cooley Law School in 1993 before moving back to Illinois.

Curt loved practicing law. Throughout his battle with cancer, Curt could often be found filing trademarks from a hospital bed. He was a pioneer in computer law, working remotely with clients all over the globe a decade before that was common practice. He loved the people he got to meet through his work, including his “Chilean family” at Marcaria.

Curt was a kind, bright, caring, soul with raucous laugh and a sparkling sense of humor. In his free time, he first and for most wanted to be with his family, Mary, Jacqueline, his favorite and only son-in-law Nicholas, and his beloved grand-daughter, Josie. Josie had a deep, loving bond with her “Dop Dop,” often preferring him to anyone else in the room. Curt loved playing board games, golfing with Nicholas, watching movies (especially Christmas Vacation with his “Phyllis”), swimming, and riding jet skis on Traverse Bay, one of his favorite places. Curt was an avid gardener. His love language was making salsa with homegrown tomatoes and cooking for friends and family. Curt loved celebrating the changing of the seasons, and looked forward to trick-or-treaters, neighborly Christmas giving, and spring planting. A tree will be planted in his honor on the Old Mission Peninsula in Traverse City, MI.

Curt is survived by his grieving family, immediate and extended. His family will receive invited family and friends on September 25th at 10:30 am at the Kurtz Memorial Chapel in New Lenox, IL. A Celebration of Life Ceremony will follow at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, Curt would like donations to the Chondrosarcoma Foundation, NAWS Humane Society, and The Rogel Cancer Center at the University of Michigan.