Kelly John Racz, who at one time owned the Mispillion Lighthouse in Slaughter Beach, passed away on February 3. He was 56.
Kelly was born in southern New Jersey on August 25, 1969. He and his family lived in many locations throughout the United States while he was growing up. Eventually, they purchased the Mispillion Lighthouse and called Delaware home. He and his family ran a restaurant and marina out of the lighthouse in the mid-1980s before opening their family business, R and R Sports Center on Route 1 in Lewes.
Working alongside his parents, Kelly worked alongside his parents and developed a love of hunting as well as fishing. Those passions not only became a hobby, they became a lifelong career. While in high school and college, Kelly played football. He graduated from Milford High School in 1987 and the University of Delaware in 1991.
After graduation, he spent his life working in the hunting and fishing industry and sharing his passion with the outdoors with his customers, many of whom became lifelong friends. He received numerous awards and accolades throughout his over 40 years in the industry.
One of his greatest accomplishments was opening his own hunting and fishing store in 2017, Kelly’s Outdoors, in Millsboro. Some of his most cherished memories came from his yearly alligator hunt in South Carolina as well as hunting and fishing with his family and friends.
“I can tell you that Kelly has helped hundreds or even thousands of people over the years that wanted to be an outdoors person,” Mike Fannin posted on the memorial wall provided on Kelly’s obituary. “Locals that hunt, or wanted to hunt, know that Kelly was a true expert that helped even the timid become a confident bow hunter, myself included. His calm tone and father-like personality enabled him to communicate at a level that was personable and welcoming.”
Cathy Walker expressed condolences to the family and wrote that she would always remember Kelly as a kind and gentle man who loved sharing his love of the outdoors.
“We gratefully remembered Kelly Racz, a true friend of conservation and Quail Forever in Maryland and Delaware,” Ed McWilliams wrote. “His passion for the outdoors, commitment to community and willingness to give back defined who he was and helped ensure the wildlife and traditions he loved will endure. We are thankful for Kelly’s friendship, generosity and legacy. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.”
Kelly is survived by his wife of 26 years, Jill Osterholm Racz; his daughter, Emily Racz and his son, Andrew Racz; his mother, Suzanne Blanchard and sister, Karen Racz Hazzard, both of South Carolina. He is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews across the United States and Canada. Family was one of the most important things in life to him as anyone who knew him would attest.
He was preceded in death by his beloved father, Eugene Racz.
A celebration of life will be private and announced at a later date.
