WILLIAM JOSEPH RAY RACICOT (BILL)

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

WILLIAM JOSEPH RAY RACICOT
December 24, 1938 - April 25, 2020

On April 25, 2020, William (Bill) Joseph Ray Racicot, passed away at the age of 82 years.
Bill was predeceased by his wife, Sandy, in 1999, by his brother, Larry, in 2015, by his sister, Ingrid, in 2007, by his mother, Linda, in 1995 and by his father, Real, in 1985. Bill is survived by his brother, Garry (Zelma), his sons, David (Bev) and Daniel (Kendra), by his four grandchildren, Dominique (Kevin), Danica, Devin and Dexter, and by two great-grandchildren.
Bill served with the Royal Canadian Air Force from the late 1950s to 1966. It was during Bill's time with the RCAF when he met Sandy, who came to be the love of his life. Ed, a friend from the RCAF, locked Bill in a phone booth with some change and wouldn't let him out until Bill phoned Sandy to ask her out on a date. Around a year later in 1962, Bill and Sandy were married in Noranda, Quebec.
When going through some of Bill's keepsakes, we were delighted to find letters he had written to his mother and father around 1959. In one letter, Bill described the thrill of flying a jet for the very first time at Mach .80 at 30,000 feet. In another letter Bill described his experiences on a westbound passenger train that crashed, presumably with a freight train. Bill assisted in the evacuation of people and their luggage from the passenger train and assisted emergency personnel in controlling a fire related to 3000 gallons of diesel that became engulfed in flames.
After leaving the Air Force, Bill worked for IBM for 25 years. During Bill's career with the Air Force, with IBM, and with volunteer and part-time jobs he held following his retirement from IBM, Bill made many friends that he stayed in contact with his entire life. Frequent telephone conversations with these friends continued until the last month of his life.
Bill's extensive knowledge of history and of significant political events made him an interesting and engaging conversationalist. Visits with Bill were always about the conversation. The TV was off and his attention was on you, his guest. He was a terrific cook delighting us all with some of his favourite dishes including chicken cordon bleu, wiener schnitzel, rouladen, and chili. Bill always had a record playing in the family room at his house outside Selkirk. He enjoyed all types of music and played albums by Enrico Caruso, Murray Mclauchlan, Fleetwood Mac, and so many others. Bill was a great handyman and David and Daniel owe their extensive fearlessness of attempting to fix anything, to Bill.
One of Bill's most endearing characteristics was his acceptance and open-mindedness of everyone. He went through life seeing the best in everyone and without judgment of others. And, without question, Bill's undying love of his wife, Sandy, served as a wonderful role model to his family.
In keeping with Bill's wishes, as well as in keeping with the Province of Manitoba's current State of Emergency and Public Health Order due to COVID-19, no service will be held.

Je me souviens

Condolences may be left on his tribute wall
at: www.gilbartfuneralhome.com

Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk
in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 02, 2020