Frank Rago Obituary

Wonderful man, and was really loved by many of the kids.

A bit late, but some wonderful thoughts. Frank (Mr. Rago) was my gym teacher at Washington School in Harvey. In a strange way, after all these years, this is is a testimony to the impact he had on me. Memories of "dodgeball fights" in the school gym after others had left, personal trips to the Grand Crossing pool.... What a person, what a friend. Will never forget.

I know this is way late but I want his family to know he left a lifelong impression on me. I am 66 years old and I’ve never forgotten him.

Mr. Rago was my gym teacher at Washington School in Harvey from circa 1960-1965 and he was the perfect example of a gym teacher. He taught us how to stand on our head and how to tumble...so many good memories. Taught us how to march. I compared all other gym teachers after him and they weren’t even close.

Rest In Peace Mr. Rago, I’ll never forget you.

Terry Ashley

He was the best and most loving basketball coach I have ever had in my life of schooling. He taught me that you can do anything if you really wanted too. He always telling our team that it's NO "I" IN TEAM in which everything I lived by always included a TEAM to this day. I miss him so much and words can not explain how deeply he meant to me and our girl's basketball team. I want to thank the family for sharing him with us and letting us be a part of his life. There will never be anyone like him nor anyone who can come close to a kind, gentle, sweet, caring and loveable man like Frank Rago. As long as I am living I am going to make sure he is remembered starting with Frank Rago's Foundation giving back to the school he where he was employed for many years and giving to the community of Phoenix, IL in which he touched so many lives.

I am Marie's childhood girlfriend. Frank's family was very, very good to me when I was a pathetic little kid.

Growing up next door to you, you always made me feel safe and cared about. Your love for your family was beautiful. I know you missed your mom, especially, so it must have been a very happy reunion in heaven, where I trust a big, mouth-watering pot of Ma's meatballs was simmering just for you! I hope my Mom and Dad are relaxing there with you in the backyard lawn chairs, all of you laughing and loving new life! You will always be Uncle Frank to me.

I just found out about Frank's passing.... Great guy! From a nice family... Knew him from the old Grand Crossing days...

A sad day for me when I heard the news , but I take heart knowing your with the Lord.....i'm sure he could use a right hand man like you. Thank you for teaching me how to swim at Grand Crossing Park when I was a kid and how to stick and move at Avalon Park.later on. Will always remember how you cared for absolutely everybody and always had time for me. Great people like Frank don't come along too often but when they do , they change lives for people who come to know you.
Rest In Peace Frank.....you deserve a rest for all the marvelous things you've done for other people. Say hello to the folks from Greenwood Ave. especially my mom Mary, who you knew as a young boy. Godspeed Frank

I remembered Mr Rago when I attended Coolidge in Phoenix. He was an magnificent coach. He loved his students at this school. He will be missed.

Frank Rago-what a man, what a friend! Thanks for helping me when I graduated from college to get my first job-one phone call is all it took. I enjoyed our many lunches at Tuffanos. I enjoyed your great humor & wit to friends and foes alike. Will miss you.

I have known Frank Rago for many years and his family. I am the nephew of uncle Ernie & Aunt Rose. We will all miss Frankie and may he rest in the house of the Lord.

RIP Mr. Rago! My first away from home hero! Thank you for always being there!

Roisin ORourke

My prayers to the Rago family. Thank you for sharing Mr. Rago with us as he was an huge impact at our school and in our community. RIH Coach Rago.

Great GUY !!!!!

A legend indeed! Rest peacefully. The Hawkins Family

Good friend and a good man. He will be missed. Tony Carey

Frank is a Great Person... My Mother Dolores who was neighbors with him growing up in Grand Crossing and then my Mother marrying Jay DeBartolo and being family all these years.. wonderful worth of knowing many things.. You could always learn from Cousin Frank.. Always great stories.. always fun and always at the party... I will miss him and miss all the stories of the younger years.. Our LOVE and prayers to Sister and your family .. Jay and Connie

What a great coach and dedicated teacher. Thank you

Mr. Rago was a special Godsend to Coolidge and the entire Phoenix community. He will be missed but what he taught many of us will live on through each of us.

Thanks for ALWAYS being there when I needed u. Rest in Peace Mr.Rago

Dear Mr. Rago, you were a pillar in our small community. You touched so many lives, and left a lasting impression on all of us. I remember you made me do duck walks for something I did, but it was way better than getting the paddle or telling my mom. I'm so grateful to have had you as my gym teacher, and after leaving Coolidge in 1979, I never had another amazing gym teacher. Thank you for what you did for all of us, you'll be greatly missed. Rest in Heaven

Mr. Rago, thank you for being a positive role model to so many people. You will be missed, God bless your soul.

A great man. Always tough but fair and you knew he truly cared about his students. #thegoodolddays #duckwalkswholeperiod
#paddedstick
RIP MrRago

Dear Mr.Rago I was at Coolidge from 1977-1979 I remember you oh so well. You were a "one of a kind Thank you for all gave of yourself, You will be missed!

!960's Frank the legendary fighter (sparring partner w/ Tony Zale)Herbie and the Frangella's from Grand Crossing and later Avalon Park. Frank taught the kids how to work out and box but he really taught us (1) Don't be a jerk, (2) don't swear in front of me and (3) Don't embarrass your family. RIP Frank from a former Greenwood avenue Jerk

With deepest sympathy. Your student Marnita Nelson i Hines, class of 1985/

Mr Rago, my coach, gym teacher and friend you will always be the 'Strongest' man in the world to me. Thank you for beliving in me even when I didn't.

Tina Goodwin-Jackson

Rest In Peace Mr Rago, you were a huge influence in my life, Coolidge (1979 graduate) would have never been fun without you, those duck walk exercises were the best. The entire Schelinski clan still talk about what a great teacher you were and how you groomed us to be respectful adults. The stories and memories still carry on at every graduation party.
We love and will miss you,
The 6 Schelinski Kids

Mr. Rago you served us well! Not only did you serve your country but you served the kids of the community with discipline, honor & integrity. You heart was genuine & pure. You truly left an impact on so many lives. We are all blessed to have crossed paths with you. May your family have comfort, peace & strength as they lay you to rest.

Thank you Mr. Rago for being a man who truly cared about those he taught! Your discipline and guidance lives with me to this day and I am so proud to of met and been influenced by such an unselfish caring man! Rest in peace great man you influenced us all.

Loving and caring beloved coach always checking up on his students even if he didnt remember you he could associate you with another student he did remember . He will be missed condolences to his family especially his sister whom it would have conversation with when she would bring him into the lab to get his blood drawn.

The best teacher ever ❤

Frank was a friend, mentor to me and helped me get started as a basketball official 47 years ago. He had a heart of gold & will be surely missed ... so glad we were able to enjoy lunch few months ago ... touched MANY lives - especially those in Phoenix and Harvey, Illinois!!! Eternal rest grant unto you buddy! Love, Jim McKenna

You gave so much to so many. Thank you for your service Coach Rago. You will truly be missed!

Frankie was a good friend to me in Grand Crossing. When I became of age he introduced me to many of his friends. We spent many memorable times pal-ing around before I got drafted. We only occasionally got together after I married and left the Chicago area. But I treasure those times I shared with him and his friends.
He was one truly good person and anyone he met was a better person for knowing him.
Charlie Cook

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.

Class of 74. I am a better man today, because of haveing Mr. Frank Rago in my life as a teacher 45 years ago. He was a mentor to me and many others, among other things.
One of the many qualities that he instilled into me was,
It is just as important, if not more, to be coachable, as it is to be talented.
Thank you Coach Rago. RIP

#4Ever A Lady Tiger You taught and helped so many and I truly thank u for your belief and blessing Me with so much knowledge I will always love you Mr Rago I'm truly going to mourn you till I join you Rest in Heaven the true G.O.A.T. of Coolidge c/o 94

Mr Rago
You always kept us on the straight and narrow path. You were a great Teacher.

Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help me cope. I am glad we had so many special times together. Eating at our favorite place Apple Bees and just having a good time enjoying each other. We had a conversation on Father's Day I told you I love you. Thank you for being a father to me.

Love Papa

May your soul rest in Heaven. You will be greatly missed

Mr. Rago you were an awesome Godfather who had the most kindest heart. I loved having lunch with you, my dad and Kim. You always had the best stories to share. Im honored and thankful that you accepted the role of being my Godfather. Im sorry that we couldnt spend more time together. You will forever be in my heart. Rest in paradise Mr. Rago. I love you.

One of the best teachers I ever had, I always bring his name up when reminiscing about great teachers in my life, truly a great man, thank you Mr Rago!

Mr.Rago, (not Mr.Ragu' if you valued your life) taught me and ever boy in Phoenix how to be a man.Even though he was only 5 ft 2, HE WAS A GIANT!! He took the time with all the students from the 75 lb weaklings to the 5 star athletes. SHOWING us how to play sports.Mr.Rago and the ENTIRE faculty at Coolidge (the Mr Walker's,Lennon's,
the Mrs Owens, Guy's ) truly had passion and love for the students and wanted us all to succeed in life. Mr..Rago Thank you for the time you spent with me and the many times I have Witnessed you giving advice to the children of PHOENIX

Mr. Rago was the epitome of a mentor! He helped me to find my confidence & true gift! No championship from the past could ever mean more to me than having Frank Rago in my life! Rest Well Coach. Love you man...

I'm so sad to hear of Mr. Rago's passing. I attended Coolidge Jr. High in the early 80s and Mr. Rago was my gym teacher, but also an all around passionate, engaged, and fun educator and mentor. Everybody loved Mr. Rago. Sending my love to his family and I know he'll keep the angels doing laps in Heaven.

Frank Rago was a man among men, and it was my honor and pleasure to know him. I saw him as much more than a friend, he was family to me. I had much love and respect for him, and I'm looking forward to seeing him again in GOD's heavenly kingdom!

My Dad's Best and Closest Friend for over 70 years. They played sports together, Coached and Taught School Together, Best Man at My Parent's Wedding, My Twin Sister's God Father, Role Model for Me and My Brother Growing Up. Solid as a Rock Physically with a Heart of Gold. A True Role Model for what it means to be a Real Man, a True Friend and a Protector of Everyone. Even though he was not a blood relative, He Always Was and Always Will Be UNCLE FRANK. He was Loved by many and will be missed dearly by the many people who's life's he touched, but Heaven has gained a Big Strong Guardian Angel. Rest in Peace Uncle Frank. We Love You

Mr.Rago you were truly the Greatest Gym Teacher & Track Coach Ever! You always motivated me work hard & to do my best! Your kind words and heart of gold will never be forgotten! ❤

Mr. Rago, you will never be forgotten! You were a great father figure, and AMAZING basketball and track coach. Thank you for all the discipline that you gave us at a very young age. Many of us our successful now because of it! The duck walks and meatballs will never leave our our memories! Rest well sir you deserve it. Tell my dad hello for me❤

Mr. Rago was so special to all of us. He always took the time to show you just how special you were as well. Pushing you to limits you didnt you could reach and producing MANY superstars! Rest in heaven Mr. Rago. You are truly an angel!

So sorry to hear of Uncle Franks passing. I still remember him coming down into the bottom apartment/basement and talking with us while we were hanging out. It never seemed to bother him how loud Deep Purple was playing, what we were doing in our makeshift "band" or just kids being kids. Nothing but good memories! He will be missed, our deepest condolences.

Mr Rago, you were one of the best gym teachers i ever had, you taught me that i could do anything and i owe a large part of my success to you for all you support. You will be missed

I graduated from Coolidge in 1971,Mr. Rago, was the best teacher ever, you could tell him anything, about school and life, he was surely loved, rip.

Mr. Rago thank you for caring for so many of us. Thank you for being a mentor. And thank you for life long memories. RIH you will always be missed.

I will always love you and you will forever be in my heart! Thank you Mr. Rago

Mr. Rago Im imagining you with big mechanical soldier wings. Your purpose was fulfilled. Now make all of those in heaven Duck walk. RIH

Blessings to Mr. Rago and his family

Mr. Rago was my gym teacher at Coolidge Junior High in the very late 1970s. I still remember having to put arms straight out and pick grapes of various sizes. Other teachers just had you do arm circles.

Words can't express the pain in my heart from your passing. You will always be remembered and I will always be a Rago Kid! Rest in peace Coach!

Mr. Rago was my Coolidge gym teacher, and basketball ball coach. I remember all the duck walks we had to do. But he was a good man, and you can tell he cared for his students. He will be missed R.I.P Mr.Rago...

Mr. Rago you were hands down my favorite teacher! You really left such a wonderful impression on me and so many other students who crossed your path. You will be truly missed!

Mr Rago is a teacher I always remembered. And all the sit ups. He will be missed

You were an Amazing coach and Friend . You always rescued me from Schamalez class , just so I wouldn't get suspended. Loved your class because you would push me to be my best.... Ti amo Mr.. Rago❤

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.

One of the only teachers that I ever remember, what a great guy and a wonderful life it seems he had. What an impact he made on many people!

RIP Mr. Rago. You did a fantastic job with all of us kids that have crossed your path over the years. You will definitely be a name and face I will keep near and dear to my heart.

Mr. Rago was my gym teacher. I remember him carrying me to get to the hospital because we thought I was having appendicitis! He was very kind to me, one of the best teachers! Prayers to the family and friends.

Mr. Rago was a great man with a huge heart and plenty of laughter. I am blessed to have had him as my teacher.