Funeral Details

"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." (George Bernard Shaw)

Randy Kanter, 79, lived life by joking, laughing, and staying young at heart. Son of Gloria and Henry Kanter, his playful nature shined through all his relationships. "You have to laugh," he'd often say. The man who made it his mission to joke with everybody, passed away peacefully in his home on September 13, 2026 after a long battle with cancer.

He's survived by his loving wife, Bonnie, of 56 years; his son Scott (Debbie); and his cherished grandchild Jacob. He always had one important question for Jacob..."Who do I love?"

Randy was born and raised on the north side of Chicago. He graduated from ETHS in 1965, and from the University of Oklahoma in 1969 (Go Sooners!). He later went on to get his L.C.S.W. from University of Chicago in 1976. He devoted his social work career to individuals and families in the North Shore providing compassionate guidance for more than 40 years.

He enjoyed playing golf, music, Scrabble, action movies, and Chicago sports teams (especially the BEARS and Bulls). Randy loved good food, especially fettuccini alfredo and anything containing dark chocolate. Randy cherished spending time with family and friends. He had fond family summer vacations all over the continental U.S., but his favorite trip was to Europe with Bonnie.

He never got the opportunity to record what he wanted to share with friends and family. In private, he said it would be about his hope that "people would just love one another." Like the Beatles (his favorite band) sang, "All you need is love."

The Memorial Service will be held on September 27, 2026, at 1:00 PM at Chicago Jewish Funerals (Skokie Chapel) located at 8851 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, IL, 60077.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the NAMI National or the American Cancer Society.

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