Eugene ‘Gene’ M. Racz, former bait and tackle store owner

Eugene "Gene" M. Racz, 66, of Pawleys Island, S.C., passed away Monday, March 5, 2012.

Raised in Woodbine, N.J., he graduated from Millville Senior High School in 1963 and Glassboro State College in 1967, where he excelled in football.  As a former Exxon sales executive, he lived in Vermont, New Hampshire, Tennessee and New Jersey.

He moved to Delaware to pursue his lifelong passion for fishing and hunting.  Along with his family he owned and operated the Mispillion Lighthouse Marina in Slaughter Beach and then R&R Sports Center in Lewes.  With all that Gene accomplished in life, his greatest passions were his family, hunting, fishing, gardening and photography.

Gene was predeceased by his parents John (Jerry) and Rachel Racz; his sister Bertha Hayes and brother John (Hambone) Racz.  He is survived by his former wife Suzanne Racz Blanchard of Pawleys Island; his son Kelly Racz, wife Jill, granddaughter Emily and grandson Andrew of Lewes; his daughter Karen Hazzard, husband Todd, grandson Hunter and granddaughter Hailey of Pawleys Island; his brother Gerald Racz and wife Andree of Mons, Belgium; his brother James Racz and wife Kathy of Sea Isle City, N.J.; his brother Thomas Racz and companion Ann Mattioli of Woodbine, N.J.; sister Ellen Panchesine and husband Michael of Riverview, Fla.; his brother Douglas Racz of Downingtown, Pa.; and his sister Jeannie Straub and husband Vince of Millville, N.J.

A private family gathering in memory of Gene will take place in the spring in Millville.  Gene will always be in our hearts and memories forever.