Vincent Michael Rak

Vince Rak, 69, died unexpectedly on May 15th, 2025. Born November 2nd, 1955, he was the third of eight children of the late Stanley and Mary Ellen (Boland) Rak.

From an early age, Vince was an exceptionally competitive athlete at the Municipal Gardens Police Athletic League, (PAL Club) Ransburg Little League and the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) playing baseball, basketball, and football throughout his grade school years at Holy Trinity and St. Michael's Catholic schools.

While attending Cardinal Ritter High School, Vince lettered in football, basketball, and track and field events, while also being elected a member of the Student Executive Board (SEB) and participating in the school musical, Brigadoon, his senior year. Graduating in 1974, Vince maintained lifelong friendships with many of his classmates. During high school, Vince participated in the Wesley Methodist Explorer Scouting program and traveled to multiple European countries on a trip that included his brothers Gregg and Larry.

Vince attended Hanover College near Madison, Indiana, and played football until repeated shoulder injuries forced his retirement from the sport. He was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity and appreciated the brotherhood fraternity life provided.

After college, Vince moved to Thousand Oaks, California where he picked up running and bicycling as hobbies. Returning to Indianapolis after multiple years, he spent his professional career as a purchasing agent. He enjoyed playing recreational basketball and threw darts competitively. He also played golf for many years and followed both the Pacers and the Colts in addition to watching professional baseball and golf.

Vince has been remembered by some friends as a “gentle giant.” At six-foot four with a muscular athletic frame, he was warm and welcoming and enjoyed the simple pleasures of life.

Although health challenges plagued him from midlife on, Vince maintained a deep gratitude for the gifts of each new day. He began to study spirituality and embraced the ideals of love, personal growth, meditation, yoga, and often expressed a deep sense of connection and oneness with the “energy of the universe.”

True to his surname, Vince was solid as a rock: He was very strong, dependable, and trustworthy. As a “Rak,” he would follow through and do whatever he said he would do.

Vince was preceded in death by his parents, Stanley and Mary Ellen, and his oldest brother Gregg. He is survived by six siblings including brothers Larry, (Connie) Kevin, Brian, (Marc Poisson) and David Rak, and sisters Cecilia, (Douglas) Rogers, and Cindi (Paul) Mulcahey, as well as many nephews, nieces, and cousins. He loved his family dearly and the loss of his presence leaves a void impossible to fill.

Vince’s informal celebration of life will be held on Thursday, May 22nd, from 4:00 – 7:00 PM at Flanner Buchanan – Washington Park North (2706 Kessler Boulevard Drive in Indianapolis). In lieu of donations, the family requests that friends gather to share stories and fond memories and raise a toast in Vince's honor.