### Narrative Summary of the Obituary John Thomas Hand, Jr. of Bethlehem passed away on 6 Feb 2022 at age 81. Born on 29 Nov 1940 in Providence, Rhode Island, he was a retired lawyer who worked 39 years at Bethlehem Steel Corporation. He is survived by his wife Sylvia, three children, and eight grandchildren. ### Narrative Summary of Funeral Services Services were held on 19 Feb 2022 from 11 AM to 1 PM at Connell Funeral Home in Bethlehem, with a Celebration of Life at 1 PM. Burial details were not provided. Donations were requested to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Animals In Distress. ### Transcript John Thomas Hand, Jr. of Bethlehem passed away peacefully Sunday, February 6, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. John was the devoted husband of Sylvia (Kerosetz) Hand, with whom he shared 54 years of marriage. Born November 29, 1940 in Providence, Rhode Island, he was the son of the late John Hand, Sr. and Inez Viola Whitehead. John is survived by his loving wife, Sylvia; son, John Thomas Hand, III of Gainesville, Virginia; daughters Jacqueline Davis of Bethesda, Maryland and Stephanie Hand of Bethlehem; sister, Grace Horn of Coventry, Rhode Island; and his eight grandchildren, Emma, Jacob, John, Gavin, Caleb, Connor, Ellie and Caitlin. He was predeceased by his sister, Gene Lewis of Providence, Rhode Island. John earned a bachelors degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Rhode Island and a JD from Temple Law School. He completed 39 years of service at Bethlehem Steel Corporation, starting in the human resources department before moving to the law department after receiving his law degree. After his retirement from Bethlehem Steel, John continued to practice law, opening his own practice in Bethlehem. John was well known for his great sense of humor. He was an avid tennis player, enjoyed exercising to stay healthy, loved tackling puzzles and playing cards and board games with friends and family, and was a fixture in the Saucon Valley High School stands, cheering on the Panthers football team. John always made people feel welcome and had a genuine interest in getting to know you and building lasting connections. You never forgot John, even if you met him only once. His greatest joy was spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, of whom he was so proud and to whom he was so kind, loving and generous. "Papou," as he was known to his grandchildren, will be greatly missed by his family and all who knew and loved him. The family will receive relatives and friends on Saturday, February 19th from 11 am - 1 pm at Connell Funeral Home, 245 East Broad Street, Bethlehem, with a Celebration of Life to be held immediately thereafter starting at 1 pm. Face masks are requested. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Johns memory to St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital, https://www.stjude.org, ALSAC/St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or Animals In Distress, https://animalsindistresspa.org, Animals In Distress, P.O. Box 609, Coopersburg, PA 18036. ### Vital Statistics Summary | Field | Data | |---------|-------------------------------------------------| | Name | John Thomas Hand, Jr. | | Age | 81 | | Birth | 29 November 1940; Providence, Rhode Island, USA | | Death | 6 February 2022; Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA | ### Table of Relationships | Name | Relationship | Residence | |------------------------|-------------------|--------------------------| | John Thomas Hand, Jr. | Decedent | Bethlehem, Pennsylvania | | John Hand, Sr. | Father (deceased) | Unknown | | Inez Viola Whitehead | Mother (deceased) | Unknown | | Sylvia (Kerosetz) Hand | Wife | Bethlehem, Pennsylvania | | John Thomas Hand, III | Son | Gainesville, Virginia | | Jacqueline Davis | Daughter | Bethesda, Maryland | | Stephanie Hand | Daughter | Bethlehem, Pennsylvania | | Grace Horn | Sister | Coventry, Rhode Island | | Gene Lewis | Sister (deceased) | Providence, Rhode Island | ### Publication Details | Field | Data | |------------------|------------------------------------------------------------| | Publication Name | Connell Funeral Home website | | Publication Date | Unknown | | URL | https://www.connellfuneral.com/obituaries/john-thomas-hand | ### Other Relevant Information - John earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Rhode Island. - He obtained a JD from Temple Law School. - He worked at Bethlehem Steel Corporation for 39 years. - After retirement, he opened his own law practice in Bethlehem. - He had eight grandchildren: Emma, Jacob, John, Gavin, Caleb, Connor, Ellie, and Caitlin. - He was known as "Papou" to his grandchildren. - John was an avid tennis player and enjoyed exercising, puzzles, and games. - He was a supporter of the Saucon Valley High School Panthers football team. ## Narrative Summary of the Obituary John Thomas Whitehead, 86, farmer from Boykins, died on 25 Aug 1940 at his son's home in Courtland. Born to Henry and Dolly Williford Whitehead of Southampton County, he was survived by 3 sons, 4 daughters, 20 grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. ## Narrative Summary of Funeral Services Services were held on 26 Aug 1940 at 3 p.m. in the Methodist Church. Rev. W. W. Beasley of Courtland officiated, assisted by Rev. John B. Isom. Burial followed in Riverside Cemetery. ## Transcript John Thomas (Johnny) Whitehead 30 APR 1854 - 9 AUG 1940 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- JOHN THOMAS WHITEHEAD BOYKINS, Aug. 26. John Thomas Whitehead, 86 year old farmer of this community, died at the home of his son, R. Lee Whitehead, of Courtland, yesterday [25 Aug 1940]. He was the son of the late Henry Whitehead and Dolly Williford Whitehead, of Southampton County. He is survived by three sons, R. Lee Whitehead, of Courtland; H. C. of Norfolk, and R. E. Whitehead, of Portsmouth; four daughters, Misses Dolly and Marie Whitehead, Mrs. B. E. Holland, of Holland, and Mrs. J. W. Coggsdale, of Courtland, besides several nieces and nephews and twenty grandchildren. Services will be held from the Methodist Church this afternoon [26 Aug 1940] at 3 o'clock by the pastor, the Rev. W. W. Beasley, of Courtland, assisted by the Rev. John B. Isom. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery. Richmond, Virginia The Richmond News Leader 26 Aug 1940 Page 4 Obituary for JOHN THOMAS Whitehead -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [Birth: 30 APR 1854 - Southampton County, Virginia, USA] [Death: 9 AUG 1940 - Courtland, Southampton County, Virginia, USA] ## Vital Statistics Summary | Name | John Thomas Whitehead | |---------|----------------------------------------------------------| | Age | 86 years | | Birth | 30 APR 1854; Southampton County, Virginia, USA | | Death | 9 AUG 1940; Courtland, Southampton County, Virginia, USA | ## Table of Relationships | Name | Relationship | Residence | |----------------------------|-----------------------|--------------------| | John Thomas Whitehead | Decedent | Boykins | | Henry Whitehead | Father (deceased) | Southampton County | | Dolly Williford Whitehead | Mother (deceased) | Southampton County | | R. Lee Whitehead | Son | Courtland | | H. C. Whitehead | Son | Norfolk | | R. E. Whitehead | Son | Portsmouth | | Dolly Whitehead | Daughter | Not specified | | Marie Whitehead | Daughter | Not specified | | Mrs. B. E. Holland | Daughter | Holland | | Mrs. J. W. Coggsdale | Daughter | Courtland | | Unnamed | Grandchildren (20) | Not specified | | Unnamed | Nieces and Nephews | Not specified | ## Publication Details | Newspaper | The Richmond News Leader | |------------------------|--------------------------| | Publication Location | Richmond, Virginia | | Publication Date | 26 Aug 1940 | | Page Number | 4 | ## Other Relevant Information John Thomas Whitehead was a farmer from Boykins who passed away at his son's home in Courtland at age 86 on Saturday, 25 Aug 1940. The funeral services were held at the Methodist Church on Monday afternoon at 3 p.m., followed by burial in Riverside Cemetery officiated by Rev. W.W Beasley and Rev John B Isom ## Narrative Summary of the Obituary John Thomas Whitehead, 86-year-old farmer from Boykins, died on 25 Aug 1940 at his son's home in Courtland. He was the son of Henry and Dolly Williford Whitehead. He was survived by three sons, four daughters, several nieces and nephews, and twenty grandchildren. ## Narrative Summary of Funeral Services Services were held at the Methodist Church on 26 Aug 1940 at 3 o'clock. The Rev. W. W. Beasley of Courtland officiated, assisted by the Rev. John B. Isom. Burial was in Riverside Cemetery. ## Transcript JOHN THOMAS WHITEHEAD BOYKINS. Aug. 26. John Thomas Whitehead, 86 year old farmer of this community, died at the home of his son, R. Lee Whitehead, of Courtland, yesterday [25 Aug 1940]. He was the son of the late Henry Whitehead and Dolly Williford Whitehead, of Southampton County. He is survived by three sons, R. Lee Whitehead, of Courtland; H. C. of Norfolk, and R. E. Whitehead, of Portsmouth; four daughters, Misses Dolly and Marie Whitehead, Mrs. B. E. Holland, of Holland, and Mrs. J. W. Coggsdale, of Courtland, besides several nieces and nephews and twenty grandchildren. Services will be held from the Methodist Church this afternoon [26 Aug 1940] at 3 o'clock by the pastor, the Rev. W. W. Beasley, of Courtland, assisted by the Rev. John B. Isom. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery. ## Vital Statistics Summary | Field | Information | |---------|--------------------------------------------------------------| | Name | John Thomas Whitehead | | Age | 86 years | | Birth | 30 April 1854; Southampton County, Virginia, USA | | Death | 25 August 1940; Courtland, Southampton County, Virginia, USA | ## Table of Relationships | Name | Relationship | Residence | |----------------------------|---------------------|--------------------| | John Thomas Whitehead | Decedent | Boykins | | Henry Whitehead | Father (deceased) | Southampton County | | Dolly Williford Whitehead | Mother (deceased) | Southampton County | | R. Lee Whitehead | Son | Courtland | | H. C. Whitehead | Son | Norfolk | | R. E. Whitehead | Son | Portsmouth | | Dolly Whitehead | Daughter | Unknown | | Marie Whitehead | Daughter | Unknown | | Mrs. B. E. Holland | Daughter | Holland | | Mrs. J. W. Coggsdale | Daughter | Courtland | ## Publication Details | Field | Information | |---------------|--------------- | | Newspaper | The Richmond News Leader | | Date | 26 August 1940 | | Page | 4 | ## Other Relevant Information John Thomas Whitehead was a farmer from Boykins. He had twenty grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.