Donald E. Handwerk

Donald E. Handwerk, 75, husband of the late Victoria Hildenbrand Handwerk, died on May 24, 2006 at Jeanes Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. Born in Germansville, Lehigh County, PA he was the son of the late Ralph and Ambrosia (Lobenia) Handwerk. Donald was the 2nd youngest of 10 siblings. Upon the death of their mother the four youngest siblings, Donald included came to live in the Lutheran Orphanage Home for Children located in the Mount Airy Section of Philadelphia. Donald met his late wife, Victoria Hildenbrand, as she was also raised in the orphanage. Donald graduated from Houston Elementary School and Germatown High School. He was senior class Vice-President and a halfback on the high school school football team, and Donald and Victoria dated through high school. On February 14, 1952 Donald was drafted into the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War. He was stationed at Camp Lejune, NC and later went to Paris Island, Puerto Rico. He served two years and was honorably discharged on February 14, 1954 with the rank of Lance Corporal and received the Sharp Shooter Medal. On September 18, 1954, Donald married his high school sweetheart, Victoria Hildenbrand at St. Michael's Lutheran Church, Philadelphia, PA They were married for 32 years until Victoria's passing in 1986 at 51 years of age. Together they raised their children, son Karl born in 1959 and daughter Donna born in 1963. Donald lived and worked the majority of his life in Philadelphia; he was a Local Union 122 carpenter beginning his occupation with William F. Lotz, Inc in 1954 and ending upon his retirement in 1989. Donald worked on various high rise construction sites in Philadelphia and surrounding suburbs including: The Ritz Carlton Hotel, The Blue Cross Building, the first addition made to Children's hospital, Temple Parking garage, additions to the old Civic Center, Horsham Suburban Shopping Center, Willow Grove Mall and the last construction site Donald worked on was Liberty Place II when he retired in 1989. Surving are his children, Karl Handwerk and Donna Handwerk Adamoli both of Philadelphia; on brother, Alvin Handwerk of Phoenixville, PA; two sisters, Ruth Karpinski of Pottstown, PA and Frances Mohn of Stowe, PA; grandchildren, Carl, Dawn, Deanna and Christina Adamoli, one great-granddaughter, Meiani Linh Nguyen, grandson-in law, Maynard Ngayan all of Philadelphia, PA, his companion Ms. Marva Bell and family; along with a host of extended family members and friends. The family would like to express our deepest gratitude for how everyone opened their heart as Donald battled his illness beginning in April 11th of this year, the diaynosis of the aggressive form of cancer, Thymic Carcinoma and ended with his passing onto the other side just 6 short weeks later on May 24th. Although, the memorial service and internment of Donald's ashes will be private, the family would like request in lieu of flowers, a tax deductible donation can be made out to the Foundation for Thymic Cancer Research in Memory of Donald Handwerk and mailed to the: Foundation for Thymic Cancer Research P.O. Box 474 Longport, NJ 08403 Service Information A service summary is not available