Richard A. Racette Sr., 82
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. - Richard Armand Racette Sr., 82, of 80 Gallup St. died Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010, at his home.
Born in North Adams on Feb. 20, 1928, son of Arthur J. and Mildred H. Carsno Racette, he attended local schools.
A Navy veteran of World War II, he served in the Seabees (Construction Battalion).
Mr. Racette was employed by Excelsior Process & Engraving until his retirement in 1993. Before that, he worked at the former Wall-Streeter Shoe Co. for 20 years and the former Hoosac Cotton Mill for 20 years.
He was a communicant of the former St. Francis of Assisi Church. He was a member of Frank R. Stiles Post 125 American Legion and enjoyed hunting and talking about politics. He was dedicated to his family and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and his dog Chance.
He and his wife, the former Nelda McDowell, were married on July 23, 1949, in St. Francis' Church.
Besides his wife of 61 years, he leaves two daughters, Donna Racette and Debra Wood and her husband, Richard, all of North Adams; two sons, Richard A. Racette Jr. and his wife, Karen Ferrara, of North Adams and Kurt Racette and his wife, Annette, of Ritchfield, N.C.; three brothers, John Racette and his wife, Theresa, and Donald Racette and his wife, Dorothy, all of North Adams, and Robert Racette and his wife, Sandra, of Stuart, Fla.; four sisters, Shirley Clukey of Lenox, Patricia Goman of Adams, Jean Bressett of Stafford Springs, Conn., and Sandra Lee Racette of North Adams; nine grandchildren, Jason Wood, Zachary Wood and his wife, Laura; Matthew Racette, Jennifer Racette, Michael Racette, Joshua Racette, Cole Skibik, Mariah Ferrara and Max Quinn; three great-grandchildren, Ava Grace Racette, Haley Elizabeth Wood and Tenley Margaret Wood; a son-in-law, Jeffrey Skibik of Charlemont, a special family friend Lou Ann Quinn of North Adams, and many nieces and nephews.
His daughter, Jacklyn Racette Skibik, died Dec. 3, 2009; he also was predeceased by his brother Arthur J. Racette and his infant siblings Carol, Bernard and Barbara.
FUNERAL NOTICE - The funeral for Mr. Racette will be Friday, Dec. 24, at 11 at Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams, with Pastor Sandra Racette officiating. Burial will follow in Southview Cemetery.
Calling hours will be Friday morning from 9 to 11 at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the American Heart Association in care of the funeral home.