DONALD C. "SAM" RACINE

Donald C. "Sam" Racine, of Ishpeming Township, passed away Saturday, January 8, 2022, at Norlite Nursing Center in Marquette at the age of 94. He was born September 14, 1927, in Ishpeming, the youngest child of Samuel and Jennie (Perrault) Racine. Sam worked for CCI at the Cliffs Shaft as a young man while working part-time for Bjork and Zhulkie Funeral Home. Following a layoff from the mine, he began working full time at the funeral home and later became a partner in the business. He retired from the funeral home after more than 30 years of service to the community. He married Lillian Fleck in 1951. Together they raised three children. He was a devoted husband to his wife and was her caregiver for 23 years after a tragic accident left her paralyzed. Sam was a member of the Wawonowin Country Club, Knights of Columbus and the Elks Lodge. His interests included golfing and spending time at his camp on Lake George. He is survived by his three children, Deborah (Peter) Goldsworthy of Ishpeming, Brian Racine of Republic and Daniel (Judith) Racine of Marquette; a special daughter-in-law, Amy Racine; six grandchildren, J.J. (Stephanie Schmidt) McIntyre, Sarah (Jam...[more]

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Pleaugh, Laura McIntyre, Dr. Jenna (Dane) Nelson, Jessica (Andrew) Urbaniak and Justin Fassbender; seven great-grandchildren with another great-granddaughter "on the way" in May; and three "additional" grandchildren, Wendy (Kurt) Coduti, Josh (Erin) Goldsworthy & Cory (Melissa) Goldsworthy. He was preceded in death by his wife; parents; two brothers, Earl "Jack" (Lucille) Racine and Garnet (Evelyn) Racine; and four sisters, Dorothy (Walter) LaForest, Eleanor (Howard) Swanson, Irene (Peter) LaFreniere and Lorraine (Jay) Dyer. Sam's family would like to thank Jeremy Steele PA-C at UP Health System Bell for his many years of dedicated care and the nursing & CNA staff at Norlite Nursing Center, especially Tess and Cindy, for the kind and compassionate care he received. Honoring Sam's request, a private graveside service will be held at the Ishpeming Cemetery in the spring. Canale & Pennock Funeral Service in Ishpeming is assisting the family where memories may be shared at canalefuneral.com