Romulus Racca

Romulus H. Racca, of Newton Massachusetts, died Saturday, December 31^st in Newton-Wellesley Hospital following a period of declining health.  He was 95 years old.

Romulus was born in Rome, Italy, on March 5, 1927, the son of the late Vittorio and Maria (Ravetta) Racca.  He came to the United States with his parents when he was 5 years old and graduated from University of Connecticut.  He honorably served in the Navy as a Fireman First Class during World War II.  Upon his return home from the service, he met Chloe Olive Hofrichter.  Along with Chloe and her family he made a thorough study of the Bible and was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1949. He married Chloe Olive Hofrichter in 1950. He enjoyed a long and successful career as a mechanical engineer.  In 1985 he completed his doctorate at Columbia Pacific University, in part based on his life’s work and his many patented inventions.

He enjoyed traveling with his family throughout Europe and especially to his mother’s home in Italy. He loved opera and every Saturday night was pizza night followed by an opera.  His greatest love was for his god, Jehovah and teaching others Bible truths.  He was a skilled teacher presenting information in a logical fashion and that also touched the hearts of his listeners. He and his wife Chloe were very hospitable and loved getting together with friends to enjoy music, play cards, or just relax and have a meal together.

Romulus was predeceased by his beloved wife, the late Chloe O. (Hofrichter) Racca on January 13, 2013.

He leaves his daughters, Cynthia Smith (late Daniel) of Georgia, Beverly Trainor (Brion) of Georgia, Katherine Rao (Thomas) of Newton, and Sylvia Racca of New Hampshire; his grandchildren, Daria Smith, Dustin Smith, Michelle Stewart (George), Christopher (Tiana) and Brittany Rao; his great grandchildren Chloe, Amelia and Lily Stewart; and his sisters-in-law, Nancy Crook, Carol Milatz, both of Connecticut, and Dorothy Wright of Florida.

This is a song he used to sing to his daughters:

“Dan, can you see that big, green tree?
Where the water's runnin' free
And it's waitin' there for you and me?
Water, cool, clear water

The shadows sway and seem to say
"Tonight we pray for water, cool water"
And way up there He'll hear our prayer
And show us where there's water
Cool, clear water”

Excerpts from Cool Water by Marty Robbins

“And the spirit and the bride keep on saying, “Come!” and let anyone thirsting come; let anyone who wishes take life’s water free. “ Revelation 22:17 New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, 2013 edition

A funeral service will be held at the Newton Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 1672 Washington St., Newton MA on Saturday, February 4^th at 2:00 p.m.

Memorial donations may be made to www.JW.org