J. Racquet

East Greenbush- On February 18, 2018, J. Carl Racquet went home to sing in the Lord's Heavenly Choir. Carl was born on November 29, 1925 in Miami, Florida to John C. Racquet and Marie E. Moran. He was educated in the Albany School District, graduated from Philip Schuyler High School. He later graduated from the National Radio Institute in Washington, DC with a degree in Electronics. He was also a Registered Professional Engineer and worked in General Electric Plants in Schenectady, NY, and Lynn, Massachusetts and retired from the GE Co. in Pittsfield, Massachusetts in 1990. During his time at G.E., he was the recipient of fourteen patents. During World War II, he was responsible for organizing and presenting talent shows in various theaters of military operations. He held the rank of staff sergeant and spent nearly 20 years in the Army Reserve. Carl was predeceased by his parents, John and Marie, and by his sisters Eleanor Picard and Margaret Stott. He is survived by his wife Julia (Julie) of 52 years and his son Dr. John C. Racquet III and his wife Ina. The greatest interests in his life were his music and his Masonic activities. His interest in music began at the early age of 5 when he first appeared publicly on Radio Station WABY in Albany. At the age of 7, he joined the Choir of the Cathedral of All Saints where he was a choirster until retiring after 43 years. Also as a child at the Cathedral, he learned to play the organ and because he was so small the organ pedals had to have blocks to raise them . Over the years he sung in numerous musical groups such as the Albany Mendelsohn Club, Van Rensselaer Choral Club, Capital Community Voices, Fred Waring's Pennsylvanians and was Chorister in several area Masonic Lodges for over fifty years. He was also a member of the American Guild of Organists. His Masonic career began when he was raised in 1947 in Guttenberg Lodge #737 in Albany. In 1979 he became a dual member in Washington Lodge #85 where he served as Worshipful Master in 1992 and in 1999 he was appointed as Grand Sword Bearer by the Grand Master of Masons of the State of New York. He was also a member of Van Rensselaer Lodge #87, the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Cyprus Temple of the Accepted Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, as well as Van Rensselaer Star Chapter #256, Order of the Eastern Star. In the Eastern Star he served as Patron and was a Past District Grand Lecturer. He was also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Vigilant Lodge #669. Carl was a past president of the Past Master's Association of the Old 17 th Masonic District, and a Member of the Albany Master's and Warden's Association. He also served as the Advertising Chairman of the Capital District Masonic Newspaper "The Cornerstone". Carl will also be remembered for the fantastic Christmas Displays he put in his yard in Town of Schodack for several years. He will be missed by his family and friends and his beloved Shetland Sheep Dogs, Stefan and Nadia, as well as his cat buddies. The family wishes to thank the staff at Rosewood for their kind and compassionate care. Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 23, 2018, at 10am at St. Paul's Church, 8 Church St., Kinderhook, New York. Relatives and friends are invited and may call at the W.J. Lyons, Jr. Funeral Home, 1700 Washington Ave., Rensselaer on Thursday, from 4 to 7pm. Interment will be on Friday at 2:30 pm in Memory Gardens Cemetery, Colonie. Donations may be made in Carl's memory to Animalkind, Inc., 721 Warren Street, Hudson, NY 12534