Trubee Gibney Racioppi Sr.'s Obituary
Trubee Gibney Racioppi Sr., at the age of 93, entered eternal rest peacefully on Friday evening, December 29, 2023, at St. Tammany Parish Hospital surrounded by his adoring loving family. He was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut on May 15, 1930 to Rev. Joseph Anthony Racioppi and Susan Gibney Racioppi.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Margaret Morrish Racioppi, his son Gib (Julie) Racioppi, Jr., and son-in-law John Dericks. Trubee was the proud grandfather of Robbie Dericks, Tommy Dericks, DC (Vanessa), Trubee Racioppi III, Lauren Racioppi, and Andrea Racioppi, and great grandfather of Olivia Grace Dericks. He was the caring sibling of Anita (Bob) Craven, and uncle to Chris (Kelly) Craven, Julie (David Lund) Craven, Chip (Cathy) Craven. Trubee will be dearly missed by his family, and wonderful friends, whom he deeply loved.
Trubee was preceded in death by his daughter Susan Racioppi Dericks, and his parents Rev. Joseph and Susan Racioppi.
Trubee spent his formative years being very involved in his father’s Episcopal church in Fairfield, Connecticut. He enjoyed activities including hockey, skiing, tennis and singing with various groups. He was schooled at the private schools of Unquowa, Kent High School, and then onto Trinity College where he earned his Bachelor’s degree. His father and his son also both graduated from Trinity College and he continued to support these schools throughout his life.
After college, Trubee began his professional career as a successful Retail Executive for Sears in the Boston area. There he met his wife Peggy and soon they were married by his father and they began their family. Trubee’s career took the family to Pennsylvania, Long Island, and New Jersey. When he retired, Trubee and Peggy moved to New Bern, North Carolina where they built a beautiful home on the Trent River. Here they immersed themselves in the boating community and founded the New Bern Yacht club. They also enjoyed golfing, traveling the world and always opened their home to numerous visits from family and friends.
Trubee and Peggy’s next move was to Tchefuncta Estates in Covington, Louisiana, drawing them close to their daughter Sue. This enabled the family to get together more often, including larger family gatherings at wonderful locations. There they continued an active lifestyle. After the impact of Katrina, Trubee and Peggy chose to escape the changing environment of New Orleans North Shore and moved to a retirement community just north of Georgetown, Texas. Here they enjoyed a few years in a golfing community with many activities as well as pursuing their love of travel.
As Trubee and Peggy always wanted to prepare for their future, they chose to move back to Mandeville and live in the same Rosedown neighborhood of Sue where they regularly shared in the activities of Sue’s family. After moving to the South, Trubee and Peggy had an eye on Christwood as a place that they would like to live. They have enjoyed being residents of Christwood together for the last 8 years and Peggy will continue to consider this her home.
Trubee was a very hardworking man who liked to enjoy life. He would go out of his way, with Peggy always by his side, to ensure his family was loved, well cared for and able to pursue their own dreams and opportunities that life had to offer. Trubee loved to meet people and get to know them. This usually led to personal connections that he enjoyed fostering and making people laugh or smile. He was unique and irreplaceable, well respected and liked, and will be deeply and dearly missed by all who knew and loved him. His jovial spirit will remain in the many memories of his cherished friends and family until they meet him again.
In lieu of flowers, kindly consider memorial contributions in memory of Trubee Gibney Racioppi Sr. to Macular Degeneration Research through the Bright Focus Foundation or the National WWII Museum, New Orleans.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Trubee’s Celebration of Life at the Garden Room of Christwood, 100 Christwood Blvd., Covington, LA on Thursday, January 11, 2024. Visitation begins at 2:30 PM followed by the service at 3 PM and reception. Interment will take place privately at a later time.
E.J. Fielding Funeral Home, locally owned and operated, (985) 892-9222, has been entrusted with funeral arrangements.
The Racioppi family kindly invites you to share thoughts, fondest memories, and condolences online at E. J. Fielding Funeral Home Guest Book at www.ejfieldingfh.com.
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