18 | AUGUST 5 • 2021

GOODBYE, DEAR FRIEND

continued from page 16

And help he did. The late Matt Prentice
credited a mention in Danny’s column
for launching his career. The following
Friday, people were lined up out the door
at his deli. “If Danny hadn’t put me on the
map, I would have gone down,
” he said in
2008.
Mark Zarkin, good friend and owner
of Lelli’s Inn on the Green in Farmington
Hills, shared on Facebook after learning
of Danny’s passing: “Danny Raskin, you
will be missed so much by so many. These
days we all say restaurants will never be
the same. But without Danny Raskin
writing about them every week in his
column you can surely bet restaurants will
never be the same.
”
Photographer Linda Solomon said
that a mention in Danny’s “Listening
Post” column about her first exhibit in
1980 helped launch her storied career
that led to her induction in the Michigan
Journalism Hall of Fame.
The two would go on to become good
friends. “I can’t imagine life without
Danny,
” she wrote in an email to the JN.
“His presence, his talent, his heart, gave us
lifelong smiles. He was a landmark, even
though he was human. Imagine doing
what you love forever? I guess that was his
secret.
“
As a journalist, he got it right. He
made people happy. And that’s a life
lesson for all of us. Make others happy
forever. Danny, thank you for listening
to our stories and making us feel special
for all your life. Newspapers fade, but not
Danny’s column. It’s framed on walls in
our homes and in restaurants and it was
in my Nana’s wallet.
”

MANY HONORS
Danny earned many accolades for his
journalism over the years, most recently
the Legacy Award from the Society of
Professional Journalists Detroit Chapter
in 2019.
But more than awards, Danny also trea-
sured the honors given to him by those in
the restaurant industry.
Zarkin, who opened the Grand Circus
Diner in Detroit, made sure the decor
included an artistic tribute to Danny.
“He’s just a legend in this town,
” Zarkin
said.

The Stage Deli in West
Bloomfield also named
a sandwich after him
in honor of his 100th
birthday. “The #100
Danny Raskin is, like
its namesake, a timeless
classic filled with sweet
and spicy warmth that
is sure to be a crowd
favorite!” said owner
Steven Goldberg of
the warm, house-rec-
ipe sliced meatloaf on
thick challah with sweet pickle,
horseradish, mayonnaise, red
onion and crisp lettuce.
“This mix of textures and
flavors reminds us of Danny’s
column. It delights and ends in a
huge smile!” Goldberg said.
Danny also treasured the rela-
tionship he built with readers
over the years. “People read my
column and write to me, not only
from here, but also from all over
the country,
” he said at age 100.
“Many times, a part of my column
is nostalgia for them. It brings
back good memories. I’m like a
representative of their memories.
”
Just 10 days before Danny’s
death I, along with JN Associate Editor
David Sachs, visited him in a rehab facility
where he was recovering from rib injuries
from a fall. Danny was cheerful, funny
and sharp as a tack. He pitched to us
an idea for a new column of his Detroit
memories — “Danny Raskin’s Rearview
Mirror-Plus.
” Tragically, he took a sudden
turn for the worse three days later.
I find it amazing that Danny, at age 102,
still had more stories to tell and couldn’t
wait to get back to his computer.
When asked a few years ago if he would
change anything about his career, Danny
said, “No, I don’t think so. I enjoyed the
days then, and I enjoy the days today. It’s a
good ride. I try to have a lot of fun.
”
It was a good run. We hope you had
fun … Goodbye, Danny.
Danny Raskin is survived by his son
and daughter-in-law, Scott and Suzy
Raskin; stepchildren, Pamela Smith,
Gregory Smith, Leslie Ball and Howard

Ball; grandchildren, Hannah and Nic
Berglund, Matthew and Jamie Raskin,
and Brad Smith; great-grandchildren,
Mason and Olivia Berglund.
He was the beloved husband of the late
Alfrieda “Frieda” Raskin.
Interment was at Adat Shalom
Memorial Park. Contributions may
be made to a charity of one’s choice.
Arrangements by Ira Kaufman
Chapel.

JN Director of Editorial Jackie Headapohl acknowl-

edges the efforts of previous writers of JN stories

about Danny: former Editor Phil Jacobs, former

Associate Editor Alan Hitsky and current Associate

Editor David Sachs.

TOP TO BOTTOM: Danny is given an
award depicting a bowl of matzah ball
soup by David Blatt and Jeff Cohen of
the Michigan Jewish Sports Foundation.
Danny and son Scott at a Society of
Professional Journalists awards dinner
in 2019.

The Stage Deli in West

Bloomfield also named

its namesake, a timeless

thick challah with sweet pickle,

“Many times, a part of my column