CHICOPEE – Rene A. Racine, 88, a longtime resident of the Fairview section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Tuesday, June 6, 2017. He passed into Eternal Life at the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family, his wonderful caregivers and his comrades-at-arms. He was born in Holyoke on April 10, 1929, a beloved son of the late Armand and Marie Anne (Dostie) Racine. He was raised in Holyoke, attended local schools and lived in the city for many years before moving to Fairview in 1957. He served his country in the Korean War in the United States Navy and attained the rank of Engineman. He worked for many years in the tool crib at the former Moore Drop Forge in Springfield. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his beloved wife, Aline L. (Plasse) Racine who was Called Home on September 1, 1998; his loving son, James A. Racine who was Called Home on December 21, 2009; his dear brother, Emile Racine; and his dear sister, Diane Darcy. He leaves his devoted son and daughter-in-law, Ronald R. Racine and his wife, Susan, of Blandford; his five cherished grandchildren, Patricia Racine, Jamie Racine Hollenbeck and her husband, Daniel, and Jacob, Talia and Tyler Racine; his two cherished great- grandsons, Benjamin and Joshua Hollenbeck; his dear sister, Shirley Bartsch of Chicopee; his dear brother-in-law, Richard Plasse and his wife, Joan, of Southwick; his dear sister-in-law, Rachel Nunes of Washington; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and extended members of the Racine and Plasse families. His family will receive friends on Monday, June 12, 2017 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. The parking lot and main entrance are located in the rear of the funeral home at 20 Lafayette Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His burial with United States Navy Military Honors will be private for his family. His family has requested that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke Activity Fund, 110 Cherry Street, Holyoke, MA 01040 or to Mercy Hospice, 200 Hillside Circle, Suite 3, West Springfield, MA 01089. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com
