Mr. Joseph L. Racine, 96, formerly of Hopedale MA, died Monday (January 21, 2013) at The Woodlands of Waterville in Waterville ME after a period of declining health. He was the husband of the late Shirley F. (Hubbard) Racine, who died in 2005. Mr. Racine was born in Milford MA, the son of the late Louis and the late Emma (Trembley) Racine. He attended the former St. Mary's grammar schools as a young boy and was a graduate of the former St. Mary's High School, Class of 1934, where he played baseball and basketball. Mr. Racine enlisted in the US Navy during WWII and was discharged as a Chief Warrant Officer after serving on two heavy cruisers, The New Orleans and The Pensacola. He was awarded eleven battle stars for action in the Asiatic-Pacific theatre. He was a member of the Medway VFW Post #1526. Mr. Racine was employed for thirty-four years at the former Draper Corporation located in Hopedale MA where he worked as an electrician and retired in 1976 as the director of maintenance. He was a longtime communicant of sacred Heart Church in Hopedale and an avid golfer at Hopedale Country Club. He was also an avid card player at the Hopedale Community House. Mr. Racine had been a resident of Maine for the past three years after moving there to reside with his daughter. The family would like to acknowledge the wonderful care that he received from nurses and staff at The Woodlands Memory Care facility. Mr. Racine is survived by 1 Son: Paul E. Racine of New York City, NY; 1 Daughter: Marie B, wife of Brian P. Cates of Winslow ME; 1 Granddaughter: Erica M. Blanchette of Charlottsville VA. Mr. Racine was the brother of the late Albert Racine and the late Harvey Racine, both of Milford MA. His funeral, with Military Honors, will be held Thursday (February 14th) , at 9AM from the Edwards Memorial Funeral Home, 44 Congress Street, Milford MA followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10AM in Sacred Heart Church, 187 Hopedale Street, Hopedale MA. Burial will follow in Hopedale Village Cemetery in Hopedale MA. Visiting hours will be held Wednesday (February 13th) from 4pm to 7pm. In honor of Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Racine's love of reading, memorial donations may be made to The Hopedale Memorial Library, 50 Hopedale Street, Hopedale MA 01747, instead of flowers.