Stephen Paul Racicot

Steve Racicot, 52, Palm Harbor, FL passed away on Tuesday January 14, 2020. He is survived by his children Jordan and Andrew Racicot, his mother Gail Racicot, his step mother Beth Racicot, his brother John Racicot, his sister and brother in law Jodie and Jimmy Sechler, and his nieces and nephews, Jayney, Josie & Jes Sechler and Tyler & Natalia Racicot. He was preceded in death by his father Thomas Racicot.

Steve was born September 13, 1967, in Libertyville, Illinois. In 1974, his family moved to Clearwater, FL where he grew up as a “Countryside Original”. As a child, he played Little League baseball and Junior Football. He graduated from Countryside High School in 1987 where he was on the wrestling and football teams. He graduated from the University of North Florida with his bachelor’s degree is hospital administration.

Steve, aka Stevie...Racicot….by any other name, a fun, loving, free spirited guy who loved his kids. He was all about his family and friends – and so many friends! Steve was a funny, friendly, football fan of the Florida State Seminoles and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Although he loved football, nothing was better to Steve than a great day of fishing. He loved boating to Honeymoon and Three Rooker Islands. Steve was the greatest fisherman that ever fished – just ask him! In the movie of his life, this is where they would queue the 80’s music as a rapturous Ozona sunset would fill the screen.

Steve also loved to garden. His most favorite blossoms, though, will always be Jordan and Drew. He loved his mom Gail and his brother John and little sister Jodie, but those kids were the reason for every season for Steve. They were part of the great group of Racicot kids – Tyler, Natalia, Jayney, Josie, and Jes, and LuLu, too! Their home is a huge compound of birthday parties, graduations and holiday meals. The bigger the meal, the bigger the crowd, the bigger his heart would expand to be in the center of it all laughing and loving!

He was a loving father, son, brother and uncle. And, Oh, brother, could he love! He had humor and practical jokes - appreciating hearty, endless belly laughs – don’t think for a minute that he’s not hovering from up above looking down and deciding which trick to play on someone today.

We are celebrating Steve’s life and want to remember to live for him in the way that would make him the proudest – keep to your plans, focus on your futures so bright, work hard in school and jobs but always, always, take time to laugh and appreciate your family. Respectfully cherish your precious memories of Steve – the popular, affable, playful, lovable guy.

Services are being held Saturday January 25, 2020, at 5 pm at the First Presbyterian Church, 455 Scotland Street, Dunedin followed by a Celebration of Life beginning at 6pm at the Dunedin Community Center, 1920 Pinehurst Road.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Steve’s memory may be made to Warrick Dunn Charities at www.wdc.org/donate. Warrick Dunn was a FSU star football player who graduated in 1997 and was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Steve always admired the support Warrick Dunn at 18 years old provided to his 5 younger siblings when his mother was tragically killed working an assignment as an off-duty police officer. Warrick honors his mother’s legacy by “providing a hand-up – not a handout – to single parents and their children. We surprise single parent families (who are actively working to support themselves) with home furnishings and down payment assistance.” Steve would be honored to support this mission of helping what he valued most, Family!