Tommy Racine

Tommy Pasquale Racine passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by close family and friends, at 4:55 p.m. Monday, July 4, 2011. He was 92 years old. Tommy was born Dec. 14, 1918, in Marion, Ill., the son of Giuseppe Joe Racine and Carmela Libutti Racine. He married Mary Virginia Jackson of Marion on Aug. 1, 1942. She survives. Tommy owned and operated the A&W Root Beer Drive-In in Centralia for 20 years. He also was a water treatment plant operator for the city of Centralia for 25 years. He retired in 1985. Afer retirement, he and Virginia traveled the U.S. in their RV together and with their grandchildren. In the early 1940s, Tommy was a well known pitcher in Southern Illinois and at 17 had a tryout for the St. Louis Cardinals. He was a lifelong fan of the team. Mr. Racine became a member of Community of Christ church in 1951 and was known as a prayer warrior and minister to the sick. He was a generous man and loved sharing the bounty of his garden for many years. He was preceded in death by his parents and six siblings: Rose Canu of Detroit, Alene Carnaghi of Marion, Stella Boner of West Frankfort, Tony Racine of Marion, Ange Woolsey of Detroit and Irene Castellano of Marion. He also was preceded in death by two nephews, Dr. James DAmico of West Frankfort and John Canu of Detroit, and a niece, Ange Monaco of Las Vegas. Tommy also is survived by his children, Joseph L. Racine of St. Louis, Stephanie Gustave and Cara Recine, both of Carbondale; four grandchildren, Aaron Joseph Racine of Overland Park, Kan., Hamp Webster III of Carbondale, Bradley W. Gustave of Denver, Colo., and Kelley Racine Gustave of Carbondale; and two great-grandsons, Wyatt Joseph Racine and Asa Alexander Racine of Overland Park. Other survivors include nieces Carmi Hill and Marlene Thompson of Marion, in addition to many other nieces, nephews and cousins in Illinois, New York, Michigan and Italy. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 7, 2011, at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home in Marion. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, July 8, 2011, in Maplewood Cemetery in Marion.