Albin “Hondo”
Handy Retires
After 39 Years
Albin “Hondo” Handy, the Ocean City Recreation and
Parks Department’s own “legend,” retired at the end of
March 2019 after dedicating over 39 years of service to
the own. After spending the rst part of his career doing
a little bit of everything, from eld preparation at 3rd and
4th Streets to scorekeeping at softball games, he then
migrated into a Public Grounds Specialist position with
the Parks Division. Hondo spent a few years with the
Parks Division before welcoming the challenge to step
into the role of a Recreation Supervisor -- and the rest is
history.
Al Handy touched the lives of
thousands of residents and visitors
through his dedicated tenure with
Recreation and Parks. He introduced
the youth of the Ocean City community
to programs that encourage social
and skill development, preached the
importance and value of sportsmanship,
encouraged healthy practices,
served as liaison to community
Hondo’s legacy will
live on through the
Department’s meaningful
and important
sportsmanship program,
now named the
Al “Hondo” Handy
Sportsmanship
Counts Program
groups, and brought immeasurable
joy to all he touched just through his
kindness and supportive interactions. He was an integral
part of the Play It Safe program since its inception,
served on the Board of Directors for the National Alliance
for Youth Sports, and was honored with many recognitions
over his illustrious career, among them being Ocean
City’s Citizen of the Year.
Hondo’s dedication to the Town and its community
earned him a promotion to Recreation Manager in 2015
where he continued to hone his leadership skills, express
ambassadorship, and endear himself to all. He has been
credited with being a very strong role model in all areas
of his life, and he has mentored and forged so many
meaningful relationships. One would be hard pressed to
nd anyone who doesn’t know him or, at least, anyone
who hasn’t heard of his legacy.
And speaking of “legacy,” Hondo’s legacy will live on
through the Department’s meaningful and
important sportsmanship program, now
named the Al “Hondo” Handy Sportsmanship
Counts Program. Every young athlete
recognized through the Department for
exhibiting the characteristics of exceptional
sportsmanship will receive a certicate
bearing his name.
“Hondo is one of the most caring people I
have ever had the pleasure of knowing,”
shared Recreation and Parks Director,
Susan Petito. “He proved to be a team
player through and through and always radiated enthusiasm
and goodness in all of his interactions. His infectious
smile and charisma will be missed, but I am sure that
he will continue to help others ‘discover an ocean of fun’
wherever he may go.”
phone 410.250.0125 410.250.0125 7 www.oceancitymd.gov
/www.oceancitymd.gov