Lawrence "Larry" James Rakow

He was named one of Cleveland’s Most Interesting people in 1986, and remained interesting until Tuesday September 1, 2026 when he passed away at home from pancreatic cancer, surrounded by his wife and the family he loved so deeply. Whether it was magic lanterns, rubber stamps, antique and pop-up books, music, or movies, Larry loved discovering something unique and often peculiar and sharing it with others.

Larry was born in Brooklyn NY on April 4, 1947 and grew up on Long Island. He graduated from MacArthur High School in 1965 along with a treasured group of friends whose bond had recently grown deeper. Larry attended SUNY Buffalo where he met his wife Susan (Bosnick). He performed in theater there and hosted the Gilbert and Sullivan Review on WBFO. Later he was the morning DJ on WPHD, one of the first “underground” FM radio stations. His love of music took him and Susan to Woodstock during the Summer of Love and he was a founding member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

After graduating college, they moved to Cleveland where he performed two years of alternative civilian service at Cleveland State Mental Hospital. He earned a Masters degree in Library Science from CWRU and was a children’s and young adult librarian, “the only real jobs I ever had.” After a brief stint in Geneva Ohio going “back to the land”, Susan and Larry realized they were city people and relocated to the Heights where they raised their family and lived happily for the rest of his life.

Larry’s hobbies were hard to discern from his vocations. Much to his surprise, Larry started and ran several successful businesses including Kidstamps, Wondershirts, and Wonderland Books. He pursued his love of books as an active participant and leader in the Moveable Book Society and the Northeast Ohio Bibliophilic Society. His sought-after magic lantern shows took him around the country, performing in top hat and tails as Professor Optix, a persona developed for his recreations of authentic turn of the last century magic lantern shows. In every arena, Larry amazed people with his encyclopedic memory, his detailed content knowledge and his willingness to share with others. He loved movies and they reviewed films for the Cleveland International Film Festival for many years. He sat at his desk enjoying the satisfaction of his “work” the day before he passed.

He was an avid hiker especially in trips to the national parks. He loved the salon he created with his Wilton Road neighbors and participating in his Tucson movie group. A favorite annual summer outing was to Ohio Light Opera to see Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, where he excitedly introduced them to his children and grandchildren.

During college, Susan and Larry discovered Zen Buddhism and were lifelong members of the Rochester (NY) Zen Center. He and Susan were leaders of the Cleveland Zazen Group which often met in their home. His Zen practice sustained him throughout his illness and his life.

Larry adored his friends and his family: his brother Don Rakow (Sue) and their children Alex, Todd and Aaron and families; his sister-in-law Eve Bosnick and her children Jacob and Hana and families; his sister-in-law Liz Rosenberg and his brother-in-law David Bosnick (who pre-deceased him) and their children Lily and Eli and family. He considered himself lucky to be a member of the extended Rakow/Lukin clans. He described his remarkable life with Susan and the love they shared for over 58 years as “magic.” He took enormous pride in their children, Joshua Rakow and Rebecca Rakow Flyckt, and their spouses, Cindy Rakow and Eric Flyckt. Nothing brought him greater happiness than spending time with his four incredible grandchildren and watching them grow: Ben Rakow, Owen Rakow, Anna Flyckt, and Emily Flyckt.

Larry was deeply grateful for the extraordinary life he led, for the people in it, and the love he shared with so many as well as to his amazing medical team at the Cleveland Clinic and at Reserve Care Hospice. For an introvert, he made an incredible number of beloved personal connections. A Celebration of Life/Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, September 26 at 11:30 a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Cleveland: 21600 Shaker Blvd., Shaker Heights, OH. Donations in his memory may be directed to the National Parks Foundation.

Livestream Link for Celebration of Life: https://www.youtube.com/@UUCongregationofCleveland