Funeral Details

I am so sorry for your loss 💔❤️

Ewelina P

Gary was one of the brightest lights in my life. I met him while working at LMS, and from the moment we saw each other we instantly became extremely close friends. Weekly phone calls and whenever we had a chance to meet up we were there. Gary, your humor, your strength, wise words, and lending ear, and your volt like style of not saying a word is a quality that is hard to find. Your smile lit up a room, and our back and forth banter with our other part of our trio, Elsa made my day so bright. You made life's simple moment extraordinary. Every movie I watch, and any action show that you would give commentary on lives within me.

You reminded me of the following: How beautiful life is, do everything with a laugh and a bright smile, be the light to those around you... no matter what, and always ALWAYS carry a little magic in your heart and soul.

My dear friend, I miss you and I hate that being friends for life was cut so short. I love you to pieces my spunky friend.

To the family, I'm so sorry for your loss. There are no words, but my heart, thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Keren Vasilikos

Gary was a very kind, caring person and loved what he shared with our campers and programs! He was always ready to help out in any way he could to make things fun for all ages. I will miss him at our festivals with his strolling tricks making magic personable. Rest in Peace Gray. I pray that the family find comfort in the memories that you share and store deep within your heart.

Ruth Brackmann
Warrenville Park District

Ruth Brackmann

I used to work as one of Gary’s many magic helpers for years at some of the park districts. Gary was so amazing with all of these kids. I will never forget the looks on the kids faces as he showed them the tricks. He really was such an inspiration to so many. I’m still in shock over this loss and my heart goes out to his family, friends, and all who are also feeling this incredible loss.
Gary, I’m gonna miss you SO much! RIP

Karen Williams

Gary was one of my closest friends. I am so blessed to have had 14 years of genuine friendship with him. He was truly what anyone would hope for in a friend. He is known for his vibrant personality, sprawling magic business, and school social work, but he was also a brilliant entrepreneur bubbling with ideation, a marketing guru, talented pencil drawing artist, self-esteem expert, and chef (he created a beautiful black bean burger) . He was full of surprises every day. He loved working out. He loved watching Shark Tank. He loved his family. He loved life.

It isn't often that somebody can make you belly laugh so hard that it hurts. He is truly gifted in every way. Thousands of children and their families every year were positively impacted by the "Gary Effect". It's incredible. Everyone left a Gary magic event with more pep in their step. Gary, your legacy will go on. I treasured our connection and journey so much as collaborating entrepreneurs and friends. Rest in peace now and know that you will NEVER be forgotten my sweet and brilliant friend.

Lisa Lombardi

Lisa Lombardi

I work at the Skokie Library and have know Gary for 15 years. He was always been so kind and had such a great sense of humor. He also always had a smile on his face. He was a great man. I'm still in shock.

Mary Jo Dietz

First and foremost I want to send my deepest condolences to you on your unimaginable loss. I’ve been trying to find the words to express what Mr. Kantor’s loss means to us as a family. My name is Sonia Rodriguez, I have 3 children that attend district 81 schools and whom have all had the privilege of knowing Mr. Kantor. Mr. Kantor came into our lives during the pandemic, he set up a afterschool group for kids who perhaps wanted to get away from the craziness that was the pandemic. I’ll speak on behave of my daughter Delilah who he had a close relationship with up until the day he passed. She learned so much while in the group, he taught her how to play chess, helped her with her math facts, quizzed her on some mind puzzles and also taught her Magic. She caught on so well that he later asked her to assist him when he would go to community centers around the area. She did that for a few years up until last week, his loss has impacted her as the rest of my children because Mr. Kantor was a once in a lifetime kind of man. He wrote my daughter Delilah a letter of recommendation to college and we will forever be grateful for the kind words he often spoke about her. His absence will be so felt but I’m so thankful that he left her with some of the best memories that she will hold on to for the rest of her life, his magic will live on, his memory will always be with us. We will miss you Mr. Kantor, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard” 💔💔

Sonia Rodriguez

My sincere condolences to Marlo and family and everyone who knew and loved Gary. May his memory be eternal.

Diane Hope

Best teacher ever and best club teacher. He will always be in my heart I can’t stop remembering the first time I met him.

Angelika Pajak

Thank you to Gary for being a stand up man and role model, doing what he loves and sharing it with the youth. You were a part of our lives for a short time but you will be remembered.

Luis Larrea

I'm so sor of this 😭

Santiago Trujillo

From all the staff of the Skokie Park District and The Devonshire Cultural Center,
We are so thankful for the joy that Gary brought to so many across the north shore area. He was wonderful to work with and we know the magic he brought to so many will live on.

Robin Horwitz

Dear Marlo and Family-
Please accept my condolences on your loss. I recall fondly, memories of us cramming into the back of your mom’s car for carpooling. Birthday parties at your house, too.
I last saw Gary at the Skokie Public Library, researching for a game, of course.
May his memory be for a blessing. It is already, for so many people.
Mark Stein

Mark Stein

He was a great person and will be missed. I'm so sorry for your loss my prayers to you and your family

Scott Drobny

First, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to Mr. Kantor’s family. Mr. Kantor was the nicest, kindest and most caring person I have met. My niece Delilah would help assist him in his magic shows and make balloon animals. When she was asked to help, she was there. I would take her and my son and we would sit front row. We have seen his magic tricks multiple times but I was always in aww of him. His ability to capture everyone’s attention. Partially due to his magic tricks but mostly it was him. He was magic. My niece would help him pack up after his shows and he would show us additional tricks. I will forever be thankful for Mr. Kantor as he helped heal parts of my heart that were broken. Through his social work, he helped my son Isaí. My son was going through a lot and Mr. Kantor took the time to listen to him and help him emotionally. He helped my son smile again. There are no words to express how thankful I am for this. I miss you so much Mr. Kantor. Delilah, Alyssah and Isaí miss you so so much. Your kind words will forever stay with me and my family. Your memory will forever live in our family. You will always be my favorite Magician.

Gricel Rivera