Henry A. Racine Sr.

TOWNSEND -- Henry A. Racine Sr., 90, of Townsend, died on Friday morning, in his home, surrounded by his loving wife and family, after a long illness.

He was born on Sept. 7, 1917, in Fitchburg, the son of Peter and Mary Jane (Perrault) Racine, and lived in Lunenburg and Fitchburg before moving to Townsend in 1997. Henry worked as an engineer for Sears for more than 15 years, and previously worked at Fitchburg Paper Co. and Iver Johnson Co., both in Fitchburg. He retired many years ago. Henry served in the Marine Corps in the South Pacific during World War II. He was a life member of and past district two commander for V.F.W. Post 7388 in North Brookfield. He was also a former member of the Joseph P. Keating Knights of Columbus Council 99 in Fitchburg, and was an honorary life member and past exhaulted ruler for the Fitchburg Lodge of Elks 847. Henry enjoyed traveling to Florida with his wife, Shirley, to spend the winter and also enjoyed going fishing. He was a member of Our Lady of The Lake Church in Leominster.

He leaves his wife, Shirley (Lemieux) LeBlanc Racine; one son, Henry A. Racine Jr. and his wife, Theresa, of Gardner; a stepson, Andre LeBlanc of Hudson, Fla.; two daughters, Patricia J. and her husband, George Beauregard, of Ashby and Chlorise J. and her husband, William Chaban, of Leominster; one sister, Irene Landry of Fitchburg, eight grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; and several nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by his first wife, Sarah A. (Forrest) Racine, in 1995; a grandson, Mark Beauregard; and 10 brothers and sisters.

RACINE -- The funeral will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 23, from the Lavery Chartrand & Alario Funeral Home, 99 Summer St., Fitchburg, with a Mass at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of The Lake Church, 1400 Main St., Leominster, with interment to follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Fitchburg. Calling hours are on Monday evening from 6-8 p.m. The Fitchburg Lodge of Elks will conduct its ritual service at 7:30 p.m. Flowers may be sent or donations made to Diversified Home Health Care Hospice Program, 25 Tucker St., Leominster, MA 01453.