JAMES G. HANDFORD, 83, of OCEAN GROVE, passed away peacefully on August 22, 2009 in his residence. He was born on March 23, 1926 to James L. & Isabel Handford in Orange, NJ. Jim was the oldest of two children, and is survived by his sister, Mary Streich. He graduated from Columbia High School in Maplewood, NJ and enrolled at Rutgers University. He was drafted into the US Army and served with the 3rd Armored Division in France, Belgium & Germany and was discharged August 8, 1946. When Jim returned from the war, he re-enrolled at Rutgers University, where he majored in history, graduating in 1949. He then enrolled at University of Montana, earning a masters degree in history in 1953. Around 1960, he met P. Myrtle Kowaluk while she was working in the hospital in Long Branch, NJ. They were married on December 9, 1961. Around 1958, Jim purchased the Ocean Grove Nursing Home, which the couple owned and operated until around 1980.

Jim was a Loyal Son of the Rutgers University and a devoted Rutgers football fan. He was also a member of the Asbury Park Rotary Club, the Hudson Essex Terreplane Car Club, the Historical Society of Ocean Grove, the Ocean Grove Fishing Club, and the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association. Jim's passion for history was evident in his many collections including postage stamps, Hudson cars, Rutgers and WWII memorabilia. Jim leaves his loving wife, Myrtle of 48 years. He was a very special uncle to James and Jon Streich of Orlando, Florida. Stories of his life will be passed down generations through James & Jon to their children, Anderson Streich and Matthew Streich, respectively.

A funral service was held in Jim's memory at the Belmar Presbyterian Church at 9th Avenue and E Street on Thursday, August 27th, at 10:00 AM and a celebration of Jim's life was held at the family home at 19 Ocean Avenue in Ocean Grove following the service. Jim will be laid to rest in at Siloam Cemetery in Vineland, NJ on Friday.