Guillermo Ignacio Racines
84, died Sunday, November 6, 2022. A dignified, multidimensional man who evades simple
description, he would never let you leave his house hungry or without a jacket. He adored his family and friends, with his grandchildren garnering special devotion. He brightened
every room he entered with his passion for life and warmth. Hospitality, generosity, kindness, and selflessness were among his trademarks. "Bill” to his English-speaking friends; “Nacho” to his family; “Chico” to his soccer friends, was born December 7, 1937, in Quito, Ecuador to Guillermo A. Racines and Delia (Yerovi) Racines. He attended Universidad Central in Quito, majoring in Philosophy, while perfecting his skills as a bullfighter. Later, he sailed to Spain to pursue his dream to become an acclaimed matador de toros. That dream did not materialize, but many others did. In 1962, while visiting his brother and sister in Washington D.C., he met his future wife, Audrey. They moved to Audrey’s hometown of Emmaus in 1969. He worked for the M. W. Wood Company and its eventual successor, Sodexo, for 36 years at many area colleges and businesses. Among his favorites were 8 years as Food Service Director at Lafayette College; then at Finance America and Chrysler First, and his retirement job at Moravian Academy. Having played competitive soccer in South America, he dreamed of soccer as an international unifying force. Shortly after moving to Emmaus, he became active with the “new” sport that was emerging in the United States. He was on the Board of Directors and served as Vice President of the young Western
Lehigh Youth Soccer Association, coaching all ages. He coached a generation of players in the Emmaus area, at one time coaching the same group from Under-8 through High School. Chico
played on and managed several Lehigh Valley Latin League teams, and was active in their administration and promotion. He was also active in the Allentown Youth Soccer Organization, and coached hundreds of inner-city youth over many seasons. An enthusiastic supporter of the short-lived professional team, the Pennsylvania Stoners, he wrote a theme song for them which he played and sang for them at their home
games. He loved the sport, but even more important, he taught other people, players, parents, community officials, to love it, too. He actively played several times a week until he was 75 years old. He was named “Honorary Coach” by Moravian Academy, and inducted into the Lehigh Valley Soccer Hall of Fame. Bill was a talented musician and dancer. He played the piano, accordion and guitar in several musical groups over the years; including, I Paesani, an Italian Folklore Group; and most recently the Emmaus Public Singing Society. He danced in several Repertory Dance Theatre productions, including many years in “Nutcracker” and two years as Dr. Coppelius, in “Coppelia”. A prolific writer, Bill and a friend worked for 25 years to compile expressions in a guide/compendium of Spanish and English expressions. The resulting book, Expressionary/Expresionario, was published in 2006. Perhaps his more notable, yet unpublished works, are his volumes of philosophy and taurine poems. Bill, as long as he was able, regularly attended St. John’s United Church of Christ in Emmaus, and was a willing volunteer for many of the church’s fund-raising dinners. He also served on the Board of the Hispanic American Organization. He is survived by his wife, Audrey Gardner Racines; his son, Theodore “Torey” Racines and his wife, Kristi, of Cheyenne, Wyoming; his daughters, Amanda Racines Lovett and her husband Brian, of Lower Macungie Township, Jessica Racines Brandt and her husband Jeremy, of Palmer Township, and Alexandra Racines of Emmaus; his grandchildren, Reid and Graham Lovett; Adalyn and Theo Racines; and Antonia and Aurora Brandt; brothers Galo Racines and Jorge Racines; and a sister, Leonor Racines; many nieces and nephews. Nacho was predeceased by his parents, 3 brothers and a sister. At his insistence, there will be no services. He did not want to “inconvenience” anyone. One of the kindest people on earth, he was always doing for others, but could not accept anyone doing anything for him. Schantz Funeral Home, P.C., Emmaus, has been entrusted with the arrangements. Contributions
may be made to: Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund, JDRF.org and/or JuxtaHub, (Emmaus Creative Arts & Innovation Center) 375 S. 10th St., Emmaus, PA 18049. JuxtaHub.com , either or
both in honor of his children.