Randall "Randy" Bracci

A special shining light in our lives went out on June 29th with the passing of Randall “Randy” Bracci. He passed peacefully with his family.

Randy was the oldest of two children born to Aldo and Ida Bracci. He was born on March, 2, 1944 in Haverhill, MA. From his parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins in Haverhill he grew to love and have great pride in his Italian ancestry. The Braccis relocated to Nashua in the early 1950s where they settled on Broad Street.

From an early age Randy was precocious, gregarious, and entertaining. A bundle of energy and born leader to his countless friends.

As he aged, his athletic ability, determination, and competitiveness became apparent. He was outstanding in football, basketball and baseball. His first Biddy Basketball coach was advised to select Randy to insure a good team. Doing so, Randy proceeded to score 71 points to lead his team. In an era of Nashua High great football excellence, Randy was a star all-around player and valuable teammate. He would go on to excel in sports and coaching throughout his life.

From an early age, Randy had a passion for speed, cars, and motorcycles. He especially liked corvettes of which he owned several. Randy was a proud member of the Corvette club, and prize gem was his 1963, Vida Blue Vette that boasted tricked out chrome work and took home several first place awards in car shows around New England.

Randy enjoyed traveling with his first and second wives and friends. He discovered the west coast of Mexico before development of the Mayan Riviera. Interest in motorcycles resulted in annual trips to Bike Week in Loudon, to Daytona Beach for races, and countrywide scenic rides both alone and with groups. He had much of the spirit of Ernest Hemingway as the Florida’s Key West was a favorite place to “Hang out”. Perhaps his favorite spot for that pastime was Provincetown on Cape Cod.

His greatest pastime was spending time with his three Children, Jessica, Jared and Gina. He had a love for teaching kids about sports and how to be a team player: and mostly, never to judge, but to be curious.

A favorite pastime was to take the family skiing in the White Mountains, particularly, Black Mountain, where he would teach his children how to ski from a very early age. Randy possessed the special skill of patience and calmness with all kids, no matter what their skill level was. Perhaps his greatest ability was instilling confidence in others as they learned at their own pace.

Selective Service soon came calling, so Randy enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served as the Crew Chief in the 101 First Air Born Division during the Vietnam War.

After Nashua High and during his Army basic training, he married his longtime childhood sweetheart and love of his life, Susan Bellavance. They had three children, Jessica (Mrs. Scott Waters), Jared, who survive him, and Gina, who was predeceased in October 2010.

Honorably discharged, Randy joined his father working at New Hampshire Plating in Merrimack. With his keen intellect and strong work effort, Randy quickly mastered the skills necessary for great success. He was blessed with the ability to relate to people from every strata of life. Whether it was a company CEO, custodian, country club member, or guy off the street, everyone knew and loved Randy. In addition to the company’s industrial business, Randy developed a interesting and very active sideline, Himself at the time, a motorcycle enthusiast, he found a way to chrome plate virtually every part of a motorcycle. Needless to say, his Harley Davison sparkled beyond comparison and description.

Randy moved on to work for his brothers-in-law, Joe and Sam Bellavance, at Bellavance Beverage Company. For many years, Randy supervised the company’s warehouse and daily delivery of product. Randy spoke highly of his experience there, his employers and coworkers.

Before fully retiring, Randy put to use his vast motorcycle knowledge working at RJ’S Motorcycles.

After divorce, in time found love again. He married Judy Higgins, also a motorcycles enthusiast. Judy passed away earlier this year on March, 28, 2024.

There will be a full Military Service honoring Randall, on August 22, 2024 at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen, NH at 11:00 am. In addition, a Mass will be held in his honor at the Saint Teresa’s Parish in Rye NH on Oct 27, 2024 at 10 am.