Charles Steven Rakos' Obituary
Charles Steven “Chuck” Rakos of Fort Myers, Florida passed away peacefully at Health Park Medical Center with his loving wife Linda by his side on Tuesday, April 16, 2024 after his most recent health challenges with heart failure. He was 79 years old.
Chuck was originally from Chicago but called Fort Myers his home for many years. He loved the warm weather, beaches, beautiful sunsets and casual lifestyle of Florida. He worked in the real estate profession either managing and operating his own businesses or sharing his expertise when working for other companies up until retirement a few years ago. He met his wife Linda in Florida while they were both quite involved in volunteer work with the Harry Chapin Food Bank. For the past 26 years they shared many of their passions together – love of life, an appreciation of culinary expertise from casual to fine dining, traveling – especially wine trips to California, and sharing all of it with a wonderful circle of friends who also had many of those interests. Chuck was an excellent cook and knew how to be the perfect and gracious co-host for many gatherings of friends at home. He still found time to spend on daily crossword puzzles, Sudoku, reading and answering questions on Jeopardy.
He loved sports of many kinds but especially football, basketball and baseball. He played many sports in college, and then enjoyed volunteer coaching of young players here in Florida. His latest sports enjoyment was volunteering with the Roy Hobbs Baseball organization in Fort Myers. Earlier in life he was an avid fisherman and loved being out on Florida waters.
Chuck greatly loved his son Chad, daughter-in-law Allison, and grandchildren Luke and Lucy who live in Virginia. Although he left Chicago many years ago, he still kept in touch with many of his old friends from Bowen High School, Missouri Valley College and Elmhurst College. All of Chuck’s friends and family will remember his smiling face and beard that he decided to grow a few years back, and how much they enjoyed his company. He was taken from this world way too early and will be greatly missed by all!
Never wanting to be the center of attention, there will be no visitation or Memorial Service. Just as he requested, his wishes will be honored with a “Celebration of Life” party at a later date. Then friends and family can get to together to share stories, honor his life and raise a toast to Chuck.
Arrangements for Chuck's final care were entrusted to Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 1589 Colonial Boulevard, Fort Myers, Florida 33907, (239) 936-0555.
To share a story or photo, leave a tribute or to offer condolences to his family at this difficult time please visit the memorial webpage for Mr. Rakos located at www.fortmyersmemorial.com and sign his guestbook.
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