Mark "Raci" K. Racinowski

1958 - 2023

Loving husband of Janice (née Witkowski), dear father of Markie (Whitney) Racinowski and Jessie (Frank) Passi, proud Papa of Rigby James Racinowski.

Son of the late Stanley and late Eleanor (née Szczecinski) Racinowski. Younger brother of the late Stanley, Jr. (Kathy) and Marvin Racinowski. Dear uncle, cousin and friend to many. 

Mark, known as “Raci” to his family and close friends, was a retired Chicago Firefighter, with 20 years of service. Before becoming a firefighter for the city of Chicago, Mark was a teamster truck driver at Battaglia Distributing. He also was owner and operator of the MCM Silkscreening business in Bridgeport for several years until its closure. 

He attended St. Mary’s of P. H. Grammar School and St. Rita High School. He loved and excelled at all sports but loved ice hockey the best. He was on the St. Rita hockey team that won the school’s 1st State Hockey Championship. He was also a great artist and a graduate of the American Academy of Art in Chicago. 

He lived for taking care of his family and friends. He coached his daughter Markie’s baseball teams in the Bridgeport Little League Baseball at Donovan Park. He also was a longtime coach for both of his daughter’s basketball teams at St. Jerome’s Grammar School. His cousin Paul and himself built a wooden/glass trophy case for the school to house the many trophies and awards the school teams won over the years. 

He loved the outdoors. To say he was an avid musky fisherman would be an understatement. Mark absolutely loved and lived for his annual musky fishing trips to Canada. It truly was his happy place and we are thankful he was able to make so many unforgettable memories here over the last 46 years.

When he was diagnosed with an inoperable and incurable Stage 4 esophageal carcinoma cancer he fought it like he did everything else in life, at a 110% for 2 years. 

We thank the doctors and nurses at Rush University for giving him a treatment plan that gave him a great quality of life while keeping the cancer at bay for as long as they could. Unfortunately the last two months the cancer had taken over and ultimately won in the end. He put up such a brave fight these past two years living his life to the fullest with family and friends. For that we are extremely grateful and so proud of him. Though our hearts are broken today we know he is in a better place watching over us from afar.

Mark was a great Husband and Best Friend to his childhood sweetheart Janice for 40 years and a devoted, caring and fun Dad and Papa to his children and grandson as well as a loving owner to his fur baby Coal, who will miss their morning walks to the park together. He loved entertaining family and friends. He was always the first person who was happy to lend a helping hand or ear whenever needed. He will truly be missed by his family, friends and all who had the pleasure of knowing him. 

Visitation is Friday, December 1 from 3 to 8 pm. Funeral private.