Theodore S Rakoski

Theodore S. Rakoski, age 93, was called into the kingdom of the Lord, May 20, 2020.

Ted was born the first Sunday of May 1927, in Chicago IL, to Katie, nee Czernik and Louis Rakoski. He was the 4th of 6 children. Ted grew up during the Great Depression. After graduating from Harrison Tech high school, Ted was drafted. It was WWII and he served in the United States Army. In January 1947 Ted returned to Chicago from the Army and resumed his career in the printing trade. He remained a member in good standing in Local #7 Printing Pressmen's union for over 42 years. On August 14, 1954, Ted married Sheila G. Smith, formerly of Nottingham, England. They raised two children and remained together until Sheila passed in 1998.

Ted had many passions in life and his vegetable garden was one of them. His garden always had more than he needed and he was always delighted to give his veggies away to family and friends. He loved to ride his bike and explore the neighborhood. He put a basket on it so he could haul home the treasures he would find. Ted loved swimming. The only rule on vacation was that the campground had to have swimming, whether it was in a pool, lake, river, or pond. During retirement, he swam every week.
Music was a daily ritual for Ted. At home he had several keyboards but being a man who was always on the go, his favorite instrument was a harmonica. He never went anywhere without it and he played it anywhere and everywhere. Always a song in his heart, it was impossible for him to pass up a chance to sing a song. A YouTube video of him singing "Moon River" with the Open Mic Gang exists online. He was a member of the Double Nickel Chorus, which brought him much joy. He loved this group, but none more than Adele O'Sullivan whom he adored and sang with nightly over the phone.

Ted loved learning new things and seeing new places which is why he loved to travel. He said "A person should try to learn something new every day". He always tried to share this joy with others. When you heard "Students, Students!" you better find your thinking cap. He might start out by asking you "How many three cent stamps in a dozen?" But his favorite was. "If a bottle and a cork cost one dollar and five cents, and the Bottle cost a dollar more than the cork, how much does the Cork cost?"

Above all else, Teddy thrived when he had an audience. Nothing pleased him more then, being able to gather with family and friends to eat, drink, and be merry. He was happiest, making people laugh and smile, with his never ending jokes and trusty harmonica.

His daughter-in-law, Christene, whom he referred to as "sweet Christina" (he always said she was his angel and the best nurse he ever had), had this to say, "We will forever adore and remember you. We will stand taller and stronger knowing you are now watching over us. Always believing."

Ted was preceded in death by his wife of 44 years, Sheila; his parents, Louis and Katie; brothers, Bill (the late Leona) and Frank (the late Ann); and sister, Lillian (the late John) Dynda. He is survived by his son, David (Chris), daughter, Bonnie; five grandchildren: Jaqui, Jason, Jeffrey, Sebastian (Joanna), and Lea; six great-grandchildren: Isaac, Francis, Vincent, Lucy, Anthony and Cameron; sister, Helen (Frank) Rosner; brother, John (Helen) and many nieces and nephews too numerous to list by name but beloved by Ted just the same.

Due to current pandemic restrictions a Memorial and Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.