John Shirosa Handley

John Shirosa Handley was born in Queens, NY September 19, 1958. He was the youngest child of Jerry L Handley and Tsuneko-Kimura Handley. Who met in WWII in Japan. John grew up at a time when the country was racially divided, being half African-American and half Japanese, this caused some difficulty in his life growing up, but he did manage to persevere. John met his High School sweetheart, Sonia in 1975 while attending John Adams HS in Queens, NY. He graduated HS in 1976 and immediately joined the US Air Force. John was sent down for training to San Antonio, then to Edwards AFB in California. Shortly after while at Edwards AFB his HS sweetheart, Sonia joined him. They were married on August 11,1978.Being in the military he was assigned to the hospital unit where he worked in ER and the flight surgeons office, He also served in the 336 Tactical Fighter Squadron as a medical personnel and completed multiple deployments. After being married 5 years, John and Sonia while at Seymore Johnson AFB in North Carolina, They started their legacy expecting their 1st child Elizabeth. Shortly after they had a son, Johnathan, followed by their youngest, Christine. Once John retired from the USAF as Staff Sergeant in late 1986. John and Sonia returned to NY where John converted his knowledge and experience working in a hospital in the USAF to becoming a NYS EMT. For nearly 25 years, John worked EMS in the Air Force and in Queens with HHC/FDNY. During that time, John also managed to get his LPN license. Also worked as EMT at the National Park Services at Fort Tilden in NY. After retiring from EMS, he spent some time working in a nursing facility, before deciding to fully retire from the workforce altogether. John enjoyed American muscle cars and motorcycles. He also enjoyed archery, where both him and Sonia became efficient at the craft. After many years managed to get both his dream car and dream motorcycle, which he did enjoy driving during his retirement. Especially after having moved down to Grovetown, Georgia. Despite having many hardships in life, which he did not disclose to many people in his life, John pushed forward with intelligence, charm, charisma and a sense of humor. He tried to make sure that his family would be prepared for anything in life. Although he may not have always had the best methods of doing these things, he did succeed in doing them. John is survived by his HS sweetheart, turned wife of 45 years Sonia. His 3 children Elizabeth Handley, who has his sense of humor, Johnathan Handley who has his sense of duty and honor and Christine Handley who has his wit and charisma, and two surviving sisters. John lived his life how he wanted and felt that he had accomplished everything that he wanted to do.