Joe Handy obituary

Margaret Handy
·2 min read

My husband, Joe Handy, who has died aged 71 of cancer, was a teacher and Labour party activist. Elected to Dundee district council in 1988 and serving until 1996, he was cultural services convener during the city’s octocentenary in 1991, and entered into the celebrations with gusto. Later he used his IT skills to act as a webmaster and researcher for Marlyn Glen MSP, and performed a similar task for two Highlands and Islands MSPs, Rhoda Grant and David Stewart.

He was born in Dundee to Joe, a labourer, and Margaret (nee McKay), a housewife, and educated at Lawside academy in the city. After graduating with a degree in chemistry from Dundee University in 1971, he embarked on two years of educational research at Glasgow University, and it was while he was in Glasgow that we married in 1972. An enthusiastic filmgoer at the time, Joe enjoyed being film critic of the student newspaper, the Glasgow Guardian, under the editorship of Robin McKie, who later went on to write for the Observer.

On returning to Dundee in 1974, Joe taught chemistry at Kirkton high school for 10 years and Harris academy for a further 21, before retiring in 2005.

In his role helping with Dundee’s octocentenary celebrations, he wrote an introductory guide to 18th century Dundee, designed a commemorative calendar and Christmas card, promoted a compilation album of Scots songs performed by local talent, and produced and wrote the screenplay of The Burgh, a film highlighting Dundee’s past.

Following local government reorganisation in 1996, Joe stepped down from the council. Rekindling an interest in IT technology sparked by his research in Glasgow, he then provided websites for several prominent members of the nascent Scottish Parliament, including a future first minister, Jack McConnell.

Joe also provided an online presence for entities as diverse as the leftwing magazine Tribune and Tayside Opera and on leaving teaching took on his role as webmaster for Glen, until her retirement. He was a keen promoter of the efficacy of online campaigning.

Joe is survived by me, our daughter, Mairi, and grandchildren Rebecca, Robert, Jessica and Charlotte.

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