Mark Ross Handy

Mark Ross Handy, 57, passed away on November 28, 2007, following a battle with kidney cancer.

He was born on June 7, 1950, in Seattle, WA, and was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Lyman and Lenore Handy.

Mark was raised in Fullerton, CA, where his interest in working on cars and motors began. He graduated from Troy High School in 1968.

He was drafted into the Army during the Vietnam War and worked as a truck and tank mechanic in Texas and Germany. While in Germany, he began his love for motorcycle riding and racing.

In 1972, Mark started working with ready-mix trucks, and by 1979, he became an owner-operator of his first ready-mix trucking business, M.R. Handy Trucking. Around 1984, he moved to La Costa, CA, where he met Teresa.

Mark took Teresa to Fallbrook, CA, and they immediately fell in love with the beautiful area. They bought an acre of land, built their home, were married there June 27, 1987, and have lived there ever since.

In 1993, their daughter, Dana, was born, and in 1994, their son, David, was born.

Mark kept going with his trucking business, which also included a transfer dump truck and a hazardous waste truck. Being out on the road was such an adventure for him, talking with friends, seeing new places, all adding to his collection of stories. He told many stories and taught Dana and David many things.

In 2002, Mark was diagnosed with kidney cancer and fought it. In 2004, he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and because of that, retired in 2005. In August 2006, his kidney cancer came back and he lost his battle. He was at his home when he died.

His favorite things to do were going on adventures in his motor home with Teresa, Dana and David, family and friends, telling stories, listening to music, riding motorcycles, working on his trucks, cars and motor homes and going to church on Sundays to listen to Pastor Phil and Pastor Mark.

Mark is survived by his wife Teresa, daughter Dana and son David, sister and brother-in-law Eileen and Ron Sever, Auntie Budge and many cousins and other relatives as well as many, many precious friends.

A Celebration of Life was held on December 4 at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Fallbrook. Trident Society handled the arrangements.

Those who would like to donate in Mark’s memory can contact the Kidney Cancer Association at http://www.kidneycancer.org.