Philip S. Handler

Philip S. Handler, 80, of West Hartford (August 17). Son of Morris and Esther (Saltzman) Handler. Brother of William Handler and Lori Levi. Phil was born in Hartford in 1940, was educated in architecture at Cornell University (Class of 1962), and returned to Hartford in 1965 with his wife Madeline (Gell) Handler, also a Cornell graduate, to work as a City Planner. He continued to reside and work in West Hartford for the rest of his life. Phil and Maddy raised two children, Michael and Alyssa. Phil was an architect at many area firms before leading Handler Associates Architects in the 1980s. In 1991, he founded Fly on the Wall Productions and became a documentarian, primarily videotaping construction. Phil will be remembered as a man who pursued his life’s work and interests whole-heartedly. He was a loyal friend to many, and he was a devoted husband to Maddy until she passed in 2016. Phil was also a personable, intellectual gentleman who possessed, and passionately appreciated, creativity and musical talent. Phil was a long-time member of The Emanuel Synagogue of West Hartford, where he served on various committees. He joined the congregation’s daily minyan for years, up until his sudden passing. Phil was a past president of the Cornell Club of Greater Hartford, he played flute in the 1970s Hartford Civic Orchestra, and he served as a Board Member of the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Hartford. Phil will be greatly missed by many communities, and especially missed by his surviving family members, who gave him immense pride: Michael and Susan Handler of Seattle, Washington; Amato Bocchino and Dr. Alyssa Handler of Beverly, Massachusetts; and Phil’s four beloved grandchildren Eli Handler, Sadie Handler, Evan Bocchino, and Arianna Bocchino. Memorial donations may be made to The Emanuel Synagogue, 160 Mohegan Drive, West Hartford, CT 06117. Contributions: Memorial donations may be made to The Emanuel Synagogue, 160 Mohegan Drive, West Hartford, CT 06117.