Daniel Phillip Rako

Daniel Phillip Rako, 80, died peacefully on August 25th, 2023 at his home in Westerville, Ohio, following a battle with pancreatic cancer. His beloved wife Pamela was at his side. Dan was born September 10th, 1942 in Youngstown, Ohio, the second child of George and Elizabeth (née Kondas) Rako. He graduated from Youngstown South High School and Youngstown University. He married Carol Jean Spiezio and was commissioned in the U.S. Army, serving as a transportation officer in Germany and Thailand during the Vietnam conflict. Settling in Columbus, Dan built over six hundred homes, starting out in partnership with his cousin, Tom Kondas. He was a Realtor and broker for almost fifty years, operating Rako Realty and Lead Realty.

Dan is survived by his wife, Pamela Ryan; sister, Barbara Sarko; children Daniel (Megan) and Jennifer (David); stepchildren Joshua and Jessica (Kevin); grandchildren Morgan (David), Daniel II, and Claire and their mother Jill; Jackson; Nola; Aiden and his father David; Charlie; and Madeline and Sylvia. He is preceded in death by wife Carol and daughter Laura.

Visitation will be held on Friday, September 1, 2023 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Schoedinger Northeast, 1051 E Johnstown Road, Gahanna, Ohio 43230. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place Saturday, September 2, 2023 at 12:00 PM at Church of the Resurrection, 6300 E Dublin Granville Rd, New Albany, Ohio 43054. Family will hold a private inurnment at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to Tunnels To Towers, https://t2t.org/donate/. Dan always encouraged us all to “Keep working.”