Ronald Nicholas Racino passed away on October 7, 2012 at Metroplex Hospital in Killeen, Texas, after a three-year long and courageous battle against heart and lung disease.
He was born February 24, 1934, to Nicholas C. Racino and Rose (Resso) Racino in Dunkirk, New York. After graduating from high school in Dunkirk, Ron served in the U.S. Air Force. He then attended Indiana Institute of Technology and graduated in 1960 with a bachelor's degree in engineering. He and wife Barbara met in Fort Wayne, Indiana and married there in 1959.
Ron worked for an aerospace engineering company, which provided assignments in various locations around the U.S., including Florida, New York and California. In 1964, Ron and his family settled in Mesa, Arizona, where he began his career with Motorola, Inc. In 1975, they were transferred by Motorola to Austin, Texas. Ron retired from the company as a corporate vice president in 1994, after serving 30 years. He and his wife moved to Lampasas, Texas in 2000.
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Ron was known by many to be a highly ethical and kind-hearted man with a great sense of humor. He was an extremely dedicated family man, loyal friend, and was warm and hospitable even with those he'd just met. Compassionate and generous with his time and attention, Ron helped many, many people in their careers and personal lives. He was also a volunteer with the American Red Cross while in Austin, and more recently with the food bank at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Lampasas, Texas.
A skilled handyman and gadget guru, Ron was also a pet parent to various species, talented trumpet player, and greatly enjoyed spending time on his ranch in the Hill Country of Texas. There, he taught his grandchildren to fish, tend cattle and drive tractors. Ron was an avid and registered gun collector and shared this hobby with many of his friends and family. Family holidays with his children, grandchildren and close friends were a great joy to Ron.
Ron is survived by his loving wife Barbara (Niebel) Racino, son Gregory Racino and his wife Linda, and daughter Judith Racino. He is also survived by three grandchildren, one step-grandchild, and two nephews: David Racino, Lindsay Racino, Aaron Racino and Haydon Ormes; James Owrey and his wife Brenda and children Lindsay and Brian, and Alan Owrey.
Ron was preceded in death by his father and mother, sister Louise Owrey, brother-in-law A.J. Owrey, half-sister Audrey Long, and step-brothers Kenny Mancuso and Russell Mancuso.
A funeral service for Ron will be held on Saturday, October 13, 2012 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Lampasas, Texas. In addition, a memorial service will be held at a future date in Austin, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, donations to one of the following organizations made in remembrance of Ron would be appreciated: American Red Cross (Austin chapter); food bank at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Lampasas, Texas (701 North Key Avenue, Lampasas, Texas, 76550, tel 512-556-5544); or, St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Lampasas, Texas (501 S. Chestnut St., PO Box 29, Lampasas, Texas, 76550, tel 512-556-5433).
