ADAMS, Mass. —

Leonel R. “Bud” Racine, 86, of Adams, died unexpectedly, Friday morning, January 23, 2026 at North Adams Regional Hospital.

He was born in North Troy, VT on June 15, 1939, son of the late Thomas and Rose (Gladu) Racine, tenant farmers. The family moved frequently in the Northeast Kingdom of VT, eventually landing in Adams, MA.

He attended Notre Dame School in Adams. Bud worked at Arnold Print Works in Adams, General Electric Power Transformer Division in Pittsfield, retiring from the Ordnance Division of Lockheed Martin after over 30 years of service.

He held many side jobs throughout his life; skating rink supervisor, working the ski lifts at Haystack Mountain, rug cleaning, among many others. Above all he loved vegetable farming. He grew the best tomatoes in Berkshire County, including his famous Supersteak tomatoes. Bud worked the farm for over 70 years, spending the last few years teaching his daughter, son, and granddaughter how to grow top quality vegetables so the farm would continue when he was gone.

He enjoyed yearly family trips to Amish Country in PA and long rides up to the old Vermont homesteads. He was a very humble guy who loved spending time with his family. He was the go-to guy if you had a problem or just needed a shoulder to cry on. He was an inventor and would re-purpose ordinary everyday objects into tools to make life easier. He was a devoted caretaker to his wife Nancy and was the best dad, grandfather, uncle, husband and friend. The entire Racine clan loved and respected “Uncle Bud.”

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, the former Nancy A. Fortier, whom he married on July 23, 1960; his daughters Deborah McGee of Ft. Pierce, FL, Ann-Marie Racine of Adams; his son Daniel Racine and his wife Sandra of Williamstown; his beloved grandchildren Stephanie Dix (Dan), Jacqueline Hoffman (Ryan), Justin Racine and Austin Larabee (Kayla); great grandchildren Sierra and Hazel Dix and Asher Larabee; his sisters, Jeanette Domina of Easthampton, MA. Yvette Blair of Adams, and Jeanine Gagne of Lee, MA; as well as many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.

He is predeceased by brothers Albert, Arthur, Raymond, and Donald Racine and sisters Irene St. Hilaire, Simone Domina, Claire Racine, and Lucille Zocchi.

The funeral will be held on Saturday, January 31 at 10:00 am in the PACIOREK FUNERAL HOME, 13 Hoosac St. Adams. Burial will follow in Bellevue Cemetery, Adams. Calling hours will be Friday, Jan. 30th from 4 to 6 pm in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers. Memorial donations in Bud’s name may be made to: The Dorset Equine Rescue, PO Box 92, East Dorset, VT 05253. To leave a message of condolence, or for directions, please go online to www.paciorekfuneral.com