CARLSBAD, Calif. – Ricardo “Ric” Rasines, age 90, died peacefully in his sleep on October 5, 2017, after a valiant battle with cancer. Ricardo was comforted in his passing with his family by his side.

Ricardo was born June 27, 1927, in Barre, Vermont the son of Antonio Rasines and Baselisa Peral.

Ric thrived while growing up in Barre, where he attended Spaulding High School and met his best friend, Bob Abbiati, and soul mate Annie Lasorsa. Ric, while an fine student, excelled at playing football. Nicknamed “the bulldozer”, Ric, a running back, was consistently handed the football after which he would bulldoze his way down the field for another touchdown. Ric led the Spaulding team to a state championship and in the process earned an athletic scholarship to the University of Vermont. To this day his accomplishments on the football field are legendary.

In 1950, after graduating from college with a teaching credential Ric entered the Navy. Shortly after discharge he married his still then girlfriend, Annie Lasorsa. In 1952, Anne gave birth to their only child, Douglas. Eight months later, Ric and Annie packed their belongings into their new Oldsmobile and moved across the country from Vermont to Trona, California where Ric had accepted a teaching position at Trona High School.

Ric and Annie found Trona to be a wonderful place to raise a family and greatly enjoyed the company of so many lifelong friends. While living in Trona, Ric and Annie often spent weekends and summer vacations at various beach locations along the southern California coast, where they loved being able to enjoy the sunshine without the desert heat.

Ric worked for 34 years at the Trona Unified High School District first as a teacher, coach, then later as a boy’s counselor, principal and school administrator. In 1988 Ric and Annie retired and moved to Solana Beach, Calif. They much enjoyed the “laid-back” beach community lifestyle and time spent walking while taking in the scenic ocean views and socializing with the members of the “New Englanders” club.

Ric, a loving father, continued to enjoy fitness activities and always relished a good joke. Kindhearted, he always put the concerns of others above his own. Although relatively small in stature, Ric cast a large shadow of influence upon those who came to know him and enjoy his company over the years.

Ric is survived by his son, Douglas; daughter in-law, Deborah; grandson, Nicholas and his wife Rachel; sisters, Dolly, Rachel and Lisa; numerous loving relatives; and many dear friends.

At Ric’s long-held request, he will be cremated and have his ashes scattered at sea.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent in Ric’s name to the American Cancer Society.

Ric was  one of those people from which I learned little gems of wisdom that have stuck with me all of my life.  – David