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