You've always been my biggest cheerleader. I miss you.


Fritz Racine ale. Se you moun ki make pasaj li nan kominote Ayisyèn nan Washington. On se souviendra longtemps de lui.
From 1997 to 2003 during my ministry to the Haitian Community in the Archdiocese of Washington, including part of Maryland I befriended Fritz Racine and his wife Gladys. A man of many hats, but mostly involved in promoting Haitian art and painting, Fritz showed great interest in seeing the community at large growing and having a real impact on the life of the city. He would attend our liturgy services either at Sacred Heart, Saint Camillus or Our Lady of Sorrows. He would never miss the celebration of Haitian Independence Day on January 1rst. 
I remember him as a generous person ready to serve others around him, a family man and as a friend who would provide good advice from his large experience. 
Fritz, my friend, you will always be in my prayers.

"Yon pye bwa ka tounen yon forè. Lang ak kilti yon pèp marye pou tout tan."

Msgr. Pierre André Pierre 
Rector Emeritus of University  Notre-Dame of Haiti
President of the Haitian Creole Academy





Missing you beyond belief and our daily father daughter talks. 

Great times. Playing barbershop role in the yard!

Cette photo est un agréable souvenir d'une journée chez moi en Floride.
De tous mes cousins, Fito etait mon favori. J'ai toujours apprecié ses conseils judicieuses et la grande et sincere affection qu'il me témoignait. Il sera bien reçu dans la maison du père.

Sharing a photo from a festive time with the family for Thanksgiving a few years ago. Here I am with my uncle Fritz and late aunt Rose, affectionately known as Mummi TetTet.  I’m thankful for the fun times we share together as a family.  You never know when it will be the last time you see your loved ones.

My fondest memories of my uncle occurred while I was a college student living in NJ.  I would often drive down to Washington DC during the summers and spend time with my uncle and his beautiful family.  His warmth and good cooking always made me feel welcomed.  I enjoyed visiting his Bolivar Haitian Art Gallery near DuPont circle. Such a giving and passionate man he was; and he loved his Haitian art!  I will miss Mon Oncle Fito.   I’m thankful to have the privilege of knowing him.

Living many miles away from the US, I did not have the opportunity over the years to create a lot of memories as I would want to have with my grandfather Papi Fito.  But even those few memories I have close to you from the few times I visited are so beautiful and fond and reminding me of you being such a wonderful person, being always very kind and caring. Always with a heartwarming smile that you would make everyone so happy being around you. Thank you for welcoming me home always with your heart open.  May you rest in peace Papi Fito.  You will be always remembered with love.  

I met Fritz about 18 years ago and he introduced me to Bolivar Gallery painting collections. I ended buying 2 pieces from him which to this day are among my favorites. Over time, we developed a friendship bond and mutual appreciation, as we crossed paths in several circles and throughout community events in early days of the Association of Haitian Professionals- AHP within the Greater Washington DC metro area.

My memory of him is that of a Loving Soul, soft spoken and ready to engage with a smile another bystander and sharing his Wisdom, Knowledge and Experience with Love and natural affection.  

Well done with your years of public service and promotion of Haitian Art and Cultural Heritage, my Friend!

Fritz Racine will be missed! Farewell and until we meet again!

Fraternal accolades,

Giles

“Aux âmes bien nées la valeur n’attend point le nombre des années “. Je dis que le nombre de tes années à concrétiser et Sanctifier la valeur de ton âme jeune frère . Plaisir et honneur de t’avoir connu . Au revoir Mr Racine ! Racinecarré ! 

We hold you close within our hearts, and there you shall remain.
To walk with us throughout our lives until we meet again.
So rest in peace dear father, and thanks for all you've done.
We pray that God has given you the crown you've truly won.
So much love,
Magda

I knew Mr Fritz Racine for a while. He was one of the nicest man I have ever known. He was always  happy when he came down to Boca Raton Fl to visit his daughter Caroline Racine.  He was always in good spirit. He always looked good.  I’m missing him already.  I share a picture of him when he and his wife came to my wedding back in 2008

Mon Oncle Fito was a singularly charming, brilliant, cultured, and gentle soul.
My sister, Mikaele, and I literally were raised in his house, as our our father Etzer, was Fito’s big brother, and during our first several years in Washington DC, our families were inseparable.
So, we really got to know Mon Oncle Fito, Tante Gladys, Reginald, Maggie, Fritz, and Caroline.
The most enjoyable memories of my childhood frequently involved meals and gatherings with Mon Oncle Fito and his family. My abiding memory of Fito is his gracious and inviting smile and tender eyes.
Fito revered his wife, kids, grandkids, family and friends.
Fito was one of the rare people on earth who did not have any foes.
His love of people was disarming.
Fito: Thank you for teaching us that life need not be complicated. By showing love and kindness to all the same would be returned.
Thank you God for putting Fito in our lives.






On behalf of our beloved Marie MB Racine, Mikaele and I wish to express our mother’s profound love and admiration for her “brother” Fito.
Mom always spoke of Fito’s remarkable combination of intelligence, knowledge of Haitian culture, especially Haitian Art, gentleness, and kindness to all.
We are thankful for all of the time that mom spent with Fito. 
God bless Fito!



Dear Caro, "my third daughter", I thank you, my sister Gladys and the family, for inviting me to participate in the celebration of the life of our beloved  "Papito Frito", my dearest friend for more than three quarters of a century. Throughout existence, people come to our lives, and many just fade away. But some never leave,  because they implant in our hearts flowers of love that bloom for ever.  For me, Fritz IS one of those. Someone once said: " A brother is a friend you inherit,  a friend is a brother you choose".  Good bye from this earth, my friend, I will miss you a lot, but  will not forget you.

Gérard


Fritz Racine was a wonderful human being - a loving husband a fantastic father a caring grandpa and a great friend 
Kiki and myself will always cherish his memory 

Un patriote haitien attaché à son pays, un citoyen engagé, un père de famille attentionné, un homme exceptionnel qui est un  modèle pour les générations à venir. Que la terre lui soit légère. 

Député Jerry Tardieu  

Mr. Racine opened my eyes to the beauty of Haitian artwork by allowing us to showcase several pieces in our home.  He was a kind and gentle person.  Deepest sympathy to the Racine Family during your time of mourning.

-Roussan & Karon Etienne

Farewell, Fritz, a perfect gentleman, a loving husband, a caring father whom I had the privilege to know and admire for several decades. His life will be remembered as a nice human being, a soft-spoken man with a ready smile to comfort our troubled souls, a lighting torch to brighten our darkest days and a friendly word to lift our spirit.



Papifito! An extraordinary man! Un reconciliateur, un amant de la vie, d’une simplicite hors du commun et tres jeune de coeur!
Je te garderais toujours dans mes pensees! 

When our beloved Fritz Racine [affectionately  known as Papi Fito] would prepare a meal for us, the whole experience would become a test-kitchen class on life. We would ask about the flavors and textures of classic Haitian meals. He would simply say, "that's my secret. The chef must always have a secret ingredient to keep the diner interested". The lesson in that reply was decoded privately with a wink and  will stay with me for the rest of my days. If God gives me the blessing of age and the infinite wisdom of Fritz Racine, perhaps I will share life lessons over cooked meals, natural fruit juices with vanilla or almond extract, and the art of a Haitian master also gone too soon. Even though my late uncle Lafortune Felix was a respected naif master, it was Fritz who instilled in me his own passion for Haitian art and personally selected the first few pieces that should be in my collection.  He was prophetic, my life has not been the same. Rest in eternal peace Papi Fito.


To a wonderful, caring man who loved his family and friends. May your light shine bright as we remember the smiles we all shared.

- Edith Lavelanet

Thank you for being the example of eternal love. 

Thank you for being an example of a life well lived. Thank you for your consistently inspiring conversations. Thank you for always having a heartwarming smile ready to offer everyone who approaches you. Thank you for your fatherly advice through the years and most importantly thank you for being you. 
My world would be a little dimmer without you in it but I know heaven is all the  more brilliant now that you’ve arrived.
I will miss you Fito!


My older brother has been special to me ever since we were kids. He always took care of us and tried to ensure all our needs were taken care of. He often took the blame for mischief caused by other siblings rather than turn us in. When he left for college in the US, he worked odd jobs while going to school so he could send money home for us. I looked forward to an envelope from him weekly. He was the best man at my wedding and always holds a special place in my heart. He was a saint in my eyes and I already miss our daily talks. I love you brother. 

Dear Caroline, We are so sorry to hear about your loss! May your dad’s soul Rest In Peace and May God give you & your family the strength and courage to overcome such sorrow. From the Nader’s family to yours🙏🙏🙏

From sharing birthdays with me (as in this picture), to being there for me with grand support thru the most difficult of times. You have been a true blessing in my life! I will forever miss you. 

Love from your great granddaughter Dimitra.

Love always from your granddaughter Vasilia.

Thank you for being the very best and exceptional father to me.  

I will always fondly remember how hospitable and loving my dear uncle was. Everyone loved him especially the kids. He was a great cook, an art enthusiast and I enjoyed every minute spent with him hearing his stories and enjoying a meal. Mon Oncle Fito will forever be missed. 

Visitation

Celebration of Life

Gladys (Coby) Racine

Reginald Racine

Fritz Racine, Jr.

Magdalah Silva

Daniel Silva

Caroline Racine

Edouard Racine

Josephine (Halaby) Racine

Fritz is also survived by his granddaughters Shaina, Vasilia and Naisha; great granddaughter Dimitra; great grandsons Ioulianos and Theodosis. Along with brothers Edouard Jr. and Raymond, a sister Simone and numerous nieces and nephews.

OBITUARY

Fritz Racine

January 20, 1927 – December 16, 2018

Hines-Rinaldi Funeral Home

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