Richard Handibode (1966-2024)
Richard T. Handibode Jr., 58, a resident of Beacon since 2022 and formerly of Long Island, died Dec. 20 at Hudson Valley Hospice from a 9/11-related illness.
He was born Aug. 12, 1966, in the Bronx, the son of Richard and Lucille (Dwyer) Handibode. Richard worked for the New York City Police Department and retired as a sergeant special assignment working at 1 Police Plaza in Manhattan.
After 9/11, Richard spent months at Ground Zero while on the job and on his personal time. It inspired him to do bigger things, and he started going to school after work. After his retirement, he went on to start his own practice as a therapist to be able to help people with trauma and anxiety.
On May 2, 2023, he married Marisela Bravo. In addition to his wife, Richard is survived by his daughter, Melissa Handibode; his siblings, Mickey Handibode, Dawn Connolly (Phil) and Laurie McGowan (Doug). His close friend, John Hordines, died earlier.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday (Dec. 28) at 9:30 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church, 35 Willow St., in Beacon, followed by interment at Fishkill Rural Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to The Ray Pfeifer Foundation (theraypfeiferfoundation.org) to assist with medical bills not covered by insurance for 9/11 first responders.
Arthur Kovacs (1952-2024)
Arthur Kovacs, 72, a former resident of the Hedgewood Home in Beacon, died Dec. 26 at the Fishkill Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing.
He was born Dec. 16, 1952. His parents and a sister, Ruth Kovacs, died earlier.
Friends will gather with members of the Beacon Hebrew Alliance at 3 p.m. on Monday (Dec. 30) for committal prayers in the Beacon Hebrew Alliance Cemetery on Osborne Hill Road in Fishkill.
Charalambos Peratikos (1942-2024)
Charalambos M. Peratikos, 82, the longtime owner of Tiko’s Unisex Salon in Beacon and an area resident for over 62 years, died at his home on Dec. 22.
Born in Cyprus on March 28, 1942, Charalambos was the son of Markos and Eleni (Hadjichristoforou) Peratikos. He was a member at Kimisis Greek Orthodox Church in Poughkeepsie.
On Dec. 18, 1964, in Beacon, he married Janet Wattley, who died in 2022 after 57 years of marriage.
He is survived by his children, Markos Peratikos (Kathleen), Michael Peratikos (Danielle), Elena Peratikos and Janine Loos; his grandchildren, Sean (Meredith), Stephanie, Alison, Michael and Heidi; and his great-grandchildren: Anthony, Trinity, Markos and Marley. He is also survived by his sister, Anna Markou; and his nephews and nieces, Markos, Elena, Panaigios, George and Barbara.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday (Dec. 28) at McHoul Funeral Home, 895 Route 82, in Hopewell Junction, followed by interment at Fishkill Rural. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (alz.org).
