Charito Arce Racho

Charito (“Chito”) Arce Racho, 80, passed away peacefully at home in Jacksonville Beach, Florida on October 25, 2023, with his wife and children by his side. 

Chito was born to Honorato and Isabel Racho on August 28, 1943, in Santa Catalina, Ilocos Sur, Philippines. He was preceded in death by his parents and his older siblings Rosalina, Rodolfo, and Romeo. Chito is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 41 years, Virginia Dela Cruz Racho and their children Rachel, Ronald, and Rhea; his children Josely, Manelle, Michelle, Charlie, and Frederick; and his 15 grandchildren.

Chito graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1967 from Mapua Institute of Technology in Manila. He moved to the United States in 1969 and became a U.S. citizen in 1984. Chito had a long and accomplished career as a mechanical engineer with companies including Sargent & Lundy, Bechtel, Stone & Webster, and Areva Framatome ANP. While most of his career was spent in north Texas at Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant, he lived and worked in many other places over the years including Chicago, Richland (WA), Huntsville (AL), Jakarta, Boston, Toronto, Houston, and Miami. He made many lifelong friendships and cherished memories with his coworkers along the way. 

Chito retired in 2015 after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Chito and Virginia lived in Fort Worth, Texas for nearly 40 years before moving to Jacksonville Beach, Florida in 2020.

Chito was known and loved by many for his humor and fun-loving personality. He had a contagious smile, loved to tell stories and jokes, and enjoyed making people laugh. He also loved singing karaoke, bowling, playing craps and poker, the Dallas Cowboys, home cooked kaldereta, dessert (especially ice cream and leche flan), and FaceTime-ing with his grandchildren. 

A Memorial Mass and Celebration of Chito’s Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on December 2, 2023, at St John the Baptist Catholic Church in Jacksonville. The interment of ashes will follow at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Ponte Vedra Beach.

Memorial donations may be made to The Parkinson’s Foundation or The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research