Donald ' DON' Sydney Radka
6th July 1948 - 10th October 2022
Service Details
Ascot Park Hotel
Corner Tay and Racecourse Road
Invercargill
Corner Tay and Racecourse Road
Invercargill
Monday 17 October 2022, 1:00PM
RADKA Donald (Don) Sydney
Passed away at home on Monday 10 October 2022 in Invercargill, aged 74 years.
Childhood sweetheart, loving husband and soulmate of Isabel.
Loved Dad, mentor and friend of Jonathan and Michelle, Kate and Christian.
Loved and cherished second father of Tim and Lucy Coughlan and Alan Strong. Proud and devoted Grumps and Grumpsy of Scott, Todd, Jessica, Sean, Courtney, Fletcher, Frankie, Sophie and Emily.
Loved son, brother, brother-in-law, uncle and cousin.
Godparent of Hamish O’Brien.
Don requested no flowers – but there will be an opportunity to leave donations for the Hawthorndale Care Village at the funeral.
Funeral service for Don will be held on Monday 17th October 2022, 1pm at Ascot Park Hotel.
Messages to 8 King Street Invercargill or to Don’s tribute page at frasersfunerals.co.nz/tributes where his livestream link is available.
Messages
My thoughts are with you all on this very sad day. Our family have so many memories of years gone by - thank goodness for those. Im sorry i cant be there on Monday as I'm on a walker due to a broken femur. My thoughts will be with you and your family. I will be with you on line. Hugs
Rae George, Christchurch
So sorry to hear about Don's passing. Rest in peace Don
Robert Walkinshaw, Pegasus, Canterbury
I am saddened to hear of Don’s passing. You were such a brilliant couple. My heart felt condolences to you lsabel, and the kids.
Jill P, Invercargill
Hello Isabel and family. So sorry to hear of the loss of your husband/father/grandfather after such a hard battle. Don was indeed a mighty totara in our Class at Dental School, and to hear that he has fallen is sad news indeed. We are in the midst of organizing a class reunion in November and will take the opportunity to pay tributes there for sure. Big hugs from us Isabel. Love from Barry and Ruth Struthers
Barry and Ruth Struthers, Blenheim
Thinking of you all at this incredibly sad time. Wishing you strength and love over the coming days. X
Johanna Hughes (nee Parsons), Dublin
Hi Isabel and family.
Jillian and I pass on our sincere sympathy at the loss of Don.
He was a big man with a big heart and will be missed. Our thoughts are with you at this time.
Regards Neil and Jillian Boniface
Jillian and I pass on our sincere sympathy at the loss of Don.
He was a big man with a big heart and will be missed. Our thoughts are with you at this time.
Regards Neil and Jillian Boniface
Neil Boniface, Queenstown
RADZ I’m devastated to hear of your passing, I’m so glad I got to see you before covid hit. I have such fond memories of us working together at the practice, I’ll cherish those times , you were very good to me and I kept my promise I didn’t tell Isabel about the treats we used to have at work! unfortunately I can’t make your service in person but I’ll definitely join the live stream and bid you farewell. Sending love to Isabel and family xx
Angela Gibson-smith, Goldcoast
Hello Isabelle and family,
It is with great sadness I hear of Mr Radka’s passing. My love to you all. I was a dental assistant for Don from 1996 for about 6 years - I was 19 when I started and I learnt an enormous amount of clinical and life skills from Don- he was a strong, kind and occasionally grumpy boss- but the love and respect we had for Don as a dentist and boss has endured for many years. He undoubtably influenced my career in dentistry - and I am grateful for that. Aroha mai, aroha nui, Rebecca
It is with great sadness I hear of Mr Radka’s passing. My love to you all. I was a dental assistant for Don from 1996 for about 6 years - I was 19 when I started and I learnt an enormous amount of clinical and life skills from Don- he was a strong, kind and occasionally grumpy boss- but the love and respect we had for Don as a dentist and boss has endured for many years. He undoubtably influenced my career in dentistry - and I am grateful for that. Aroha mai, aroha nui, Rebecca
Rebecca Ahmadi (Baird), Hamilton
I'm so sorry to hear about Don's cruel illness. Cancer is so unfair. Sorry for the suffering he and the rest of the family had to endure. All the best as you come to terms with your new normal without Don being with you. I know it's very hard, but you will be OK in time. Take care, look after each other and cherish every day.
Martin Švehla, Wellington
Dear Isabel and family, please accept our love and deepest sympathy on the loss of your beloved Don.
Di and Noel,Bonisch.
Di and Noel,Bonisch.
Diana Bonisch, Invercargill
Sorry you have lost such a good man. You will miss him greatly. I 1st met Mr Radka when I cleaned for his mum, Mrs Jackson.
Diane Wehi , Ivercargill
To Isobel and family
My sincere condolences to you on the passing of Don
My sincere condolences to you on the passing of Don
Maree Howden, Queenstown
Hello Isobel
We extend our sympathy to you and your family at this time
Don and I were separated physically in class by the teacher's rules that we had to be seated alphabetically and by the fact that we lived at opposite ends of the country.
Nevertheless we respected and liked him
Please know that you have our love at this sad time
Warren and Lesley Bell
We extend our sympathy to you and your family at this time
Don and I were separated physically in class by the teacher's rules that we had to be seated alphabetically and by the fact that we lived at opposite ends of the country.
Nevertheless we respected and liked him
Please know that you have our love at this sad time
Warren and Lesley Bell
Warren Bell, Te Arai
To Isabel and family so sorry to hear of Don passing. Hold your memories close as in the coming days they will be of help take this from one who knows. Love Janice Meikle Mataura
Janice Meikle , Mataura
Dear isabel and family
We know Don has fought a huge battle over the past couple of years or so, along with yourself. We trust you will be well supported with love and care by those who surround you.
Robert & Esther Joe
We know Don has fought a huge battle over the past couple of years or so, along with yourself. We trust you will be well supported with love and care by those who surround you.
Robert & Esther Joe
Robert Joe, Palmerston North
Aunty Is , Jono , Kate.
So sorry for your loss , Uncle Don fought a good fight and now he can rest in peace. I will always remember the infamous Clyde to Alexandra raft race , as Uncle Don and Dad had sneaked a few flagons of beer onto the raft and we hit the only submerged rock under the Clyde bridge , i can still see the flagon rolling off the raft into the Clutha , and Dad and Uncle Don probably finishing the race a lot more sober than they had originally thought they would.
So Uncle Don go find Dad up there , sit down and open that flagon and have that beer.
Will miss you.
Scott, Molly , Charlie
So sorry for your loss , Uncle Don fought a good fight and now he can rest in peace. I will always remember the infamous Clyde to Alexandra raft race , as Uncle Don and Dad had sneaked a few flagons of beer onto the raft and we hit the only submerged rock under the Clyde bridge , i can still see the flagon rolling off the raft into the Clutha , and Dad and Uncle Don probably finishing the race a lot more sober than they had originally thought they would.
So Uncle Don go find Dad up there , sit down and open that flagon and have that beer.
Will miss you.
Scott, Molly , Charlie
Scott Thompson, Christchurch
Dear Isabel and family, we were sad to hear of Don’s passing and have fond memories of Don from our days on Duke Street. Our thoughts are with you all Love Ross, Judy, Paige, Morgan and Brock Lory
Lory Family, Oamaru
To Isabel and family. Our heartfelt condolences to you all
Just thinking back to those wonderful times we had with the Union Cricket club both on and off the field.Also those not so wonderful times facing you on your chair.It was very hard to debate sporting topics with my mouth full of painless and dental equipment.
Sadly we can't make the funeral service so could you put in our apologies if appropriate.
Our thoughts are with you.
Alistair and Kate Mackintosh
Just thinking back to those wonderful times we had with the Union Cricket club both on and off the field.Also those not so wonderful times facing you on your chair.It was very hard to debate sporting topics with my mouth full of painless and dental equipment.
Sadly we can't make the funeral service so could you put in our apologies if appropriate.
Our thoughts are with you.
Alistair and Kate Mackintosh
Alistair and Kate Mackintosh, Wanaka
Please accept our sincere sympathy at this sad time ……John and I spent many hours in close contact with Don over the years as his patients… lovely dentist.
Jane and John Pearce
Jane and John Pearce
Jane and John Pearce , Invercargill
Dear Isabel and Family,
We are saddened to hear of the passing of Don and have fond memories of the friendship you both extended to us.
A great man. Our sympathies go to you and the family.
We are saddened to hear of the passing of Don and have fond memories of the friendship you both extended to us.
A great man. Our sympathies go to you and the family.
Barry Sue Helm, Alexandra
Thinking of u all , Don I will miss our monthly chats Rest easy ❤️ Leanne and girls at A streak A head xxx off
Leanne Cameron , Invercargill
Our deepest condolences to you all on Don's passing. We were privileged to have him as our family dentist over three generations and know he will be sorely missed.
Stewart, Roslyn, Hamish Booth & families, Winton
Dear Kate
Please accept my heartfelt condolence of your father’s death. I was searching for you and have just seen the notice. My thoughts are with you, your Mum, Jonathan and the whole family.
Please accept my heartfelt condolence of your father’s death. I was searching for you and have just seen the notice. My thoughts are with you, your Mum, Jonathan and the whole family.
Bridget (Tiny) Woods, London
Dear Isobel and Family,
Just a note to say we continue to think of you all in the wake of Don’s recent passing. Whilst unable to attend the funeral we tuned in to the streamed service and thought you all did a wonderful job of celebrating Don’s life. I have many fond memories of Don – from trying to answer a racing question with a mouth full of aesthetic to times we spent chatting about sport, racing or life in general.
Last month Bel Sorriso, his pride and joy gave birth to a handsome colt foal. Don will be in our thoughts when it comes time to name him!
Take care
Just a note to say we continue to think of you all in the wake of Don’s recent passing. Whilst unable to attend the funeral we tuned in to the streamed service and thought you all did a wonderful job of celebrating Don’s life. I have many fond memories of Don – from trying to answer a racing question with a mouth full of aesthetic to times we spent chatting about sport, racing or life in general.
Last month Bel Sorriso, his pride and joy gave birth to a handsome colt foal. Don will be in our thoughts when it comes time to name him!
Take care
Wayne & Michelle Dempster, Auckland
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