Donald James Handanyan

Dr. Donald James Handanyan, O.D., 85, of Captain Road, Longmeadow; formerly of Edgemere Drive, Seekonk, died on Thursday, November 29, 2012 at the Bay State Medical Center in Springfield. He was the husband of Mary E. (Aharonian) Handanyan to whom he was married on November 10, 1957. Born in Providence, Rhode Island on March 16, 1927, he was a son of the late Hagop and Annie (Shashoian) Handanyan. He graduated from Hope High School in Providence, Rhode Island in 1945 where he was an All State High School Athlete in both football and hockey. He earned his optometry degree from Pennsylvania State College of Optometry in 1951. He was a veteran of the United States Army having served from June 1945 until his honorable discharge in December 1946. Dr. Handanyan operated his optometry practice, Donald J. Handanyan Optometrist, on Bank Street in Attleboro from 1957 - 2000 when he retired. He moved to Longmeadow in 2009 from Seekonk where he had been a resident since 1957. Prior to moving to Massachusetts, Dr. Handanyan resided in Providence, Rhode Island. In Providence, Dr. Handanyan was a member of the Washington Park United Methodist Church and while residing in Seekonk was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church in Attleboro. He was an ardent golfer and was a former member of the former Kiwanis Club, Attleboro and was a member of the ARC of Northern Bristol County. In addition to his wife of 55 years, he leaves three children: Donna H. Poznar and her husband, Matthew J. Poznar, with whom he resided in Longmeadow; Mark D. Handanyan also of Longmeadow and James M. Handanyan and his wife, Lynne A. (Cox) Handanyan, of Foster, Rhode Island; five grandchildren: Benjamin, Alexander and Jacob Handanyan all of Foster, Rhode Island and Myriam and Javier Poznar both of Longmeadow and several nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends. He was the brother of the late Dorothy Handanyan, Gladys Handanyan Ensher, Vivian Handanyan Watts and Edward Handanyan. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend funeral services on Friday, December 7, 2012 at 1:00 PM in the Centenary United Methodist Church, 39 North Main Street at Sanford Street, Attleboro, with the Rev. David Hill, officiating. Burial will follow in Seekonk Cemetery, Seekonk. Following cemetery services, an invitation will be extended to join the family for a time of continued fellowship and refreshment at a location to be announced. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Memorial Gift Fund of Centenary United Methodist Church, 39 North Main Street, Attleboro, MA 02703 or to the A.R.C. of Northern Bristol County, 140 Park Street, Attleboro, MA 02703. To send the family an expression of your sympathy, please visit an online register book at www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com . Arrangements under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. (508) 695-0200.