It is with great sadness that the family of Ettore Charles Raccagni  (Tore, Papa) announces his passing in the home he loved in Vernon, CT on Jan. 4, 2023 at the age of 89. Born in Manchester, CT on August 26, 1933, he absorbed the work ethic of his Italian immigrant parents, Charles and Maddelena. He was educated in Manchester schools where he developed his intellectual curiosity and life-long love of learning. He had no idea, however, that his second grade teacher would become his mother-in-law many years hence! In pursuing his chosen career path of teaching English, he received his B.A. degree from Bates College, Lewiston, Maine, and a Master of Arts degree and Sixth-Year Certificate from the University of Connecticut. Further study in American Literature occurred at Boston University on a government grant and an institute focusing on Mark Twain.

Ettore shared his knowledge, interests, guidance and quick wit with the students of East Hartford High School for 36 years including posts as advisor to the National Honor Society and the school newspaper, The Pilot. His administrative expertise benefited his colleagues as he advocated for and chaired the English Department for 34 years. The East Hartford Jaycees recognized his teaching ability by choosing him as the first recipient of their Teacher of the Year Award. The East Hartford Board of Education bestowed an award of recognition for excellence in leadership. When Ettore retired in 1992, he received an official citation from the Connecticut General Assembly that noted the following:

“You served as teacher, advisor and mentor to a generation of students. As Chair of the East Hartford High School English Department you affected a generation of teachers. We will not see your kind again”.

Perhaps the most significant accolades were the many notes of thanks and praise sent by former students over the years. Ettore reached students beyond the high school level teaching classes in English Education at St. Joseph College in Hartford, CT.  Even in retirement Ettore’s commitment to education continued for a number of years as he became an Assessor for the State Department of Education, evaluating the performances of first year teachers for certification purposes. He also began his long time membership in the Association of Retired teachers of Connecticut.

Ettore’s love of teaching was accompanied by a love of literature, music, film and particularly, live theater. Hartford Stage, Goodspeed, TheaterWorks, the Bushnell,

Williamstown Theatre Festival, the Cape Cod Playhouse and theaters on New York’s Broadway were all frequent destinations –14 shows in one summer! The results of his attendance manifested itself in a massive collection of Playbills which he enjoyed perusing. The music of show tunes from his expansive CD collection was frequently playing and sung. He possessed an encyclopedic knowledge of plays and old movies and was the go-to person for all related questions. It wasn’t surprising that he served as a judge for the Mark Twain Masquers Playwriting and Performance Competitions as well as the Scholastic Writing Awards Competition sponsored by the Hartford Courant and Scholastic Magazines. It also wasn’t surprising that his knowledge base served him well as he tackled his daily crossword puzzle.

Another beloved destination was Cape Cod and the family’s second home in Eastham, MA, the “Cape House”. Over the last 29 years Ettore enjoyed spending time there during every season of the year. Most important to him was sharing the house and all the Cape-related activities that meant so much to him with his sons, daughters-in-law and cherished grandsons. A sign he prominently displayed in his book-lined study truly reflected his actions: “Count your many blessings, your Family is the first among them”.

Travel expanded Ettore’s horizons beyond Cape Cod. He explored the major cities of the United States through numerous Elderhostel Programs –Savannah and New Orleans being favorites. He displayed the diversity of his interests going on cruises, doing a house exchange in Utah, visiting Disney World and journeying to the Bahamas and Puerto Rico to cheer on the UConn Men’s Basketball Team. European travel with his wife and close friends was most meaningful and encompassed England, Spain and two riverboat excursions to France with dancing in Paris! Two trips to Italy exposed him to his heritage and captured his heart, especially Venice. 

Clearly he captured the hearts of the family he leaves behind: his wife, Laura, who lovingly accompanied him on his journey for 58 years; son David Raccagni and his wife Amy and grandsons Owen and Caleb; son Steven Raccagni and his wife Amy-Joy and grandsons Hayden and Connor. Ettore was predeceased by his parents, his sister Luisa Jensen and his in-laws, Bessie and Thomas Chara who truly viewed him as a son.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. James Church in Manchester, CT at 11 am on Saturday, Feb. 11. Burial will occur at a later date. In recognition of his devotion to teaching, a scholarship in the name of Ettore C. Raccagni will be awarded to a student pursuing a career in teaching. Contributions may be made to East Hartford High School indicating the Ettore C. Raccagni Scholarship and sent to Monique Messenger, East Hartford High School, College & Career Readiness Department Head Secretary, 869 Forbes Street, East Hartford, CT 06118.

Godspeed, dear Tore.