Canada loses a great disc golfer in a tragic accident

Yesterday morning we lost a very good friend in a tragic head on collision with a tractor - trailer. He was taken just weeks before his 40th B-day. Dusan (Doo-Shawn) was so full of  good energy, someone who could put a smile on your face in your worst of moods. He did so much for his community, family and friends, and the sport of Discgolf here in Canada.

This is the newspaper report

South River's "Disc Man" killed in crash

A well-known South River man who mentored troubled teens is dead following a collision Thursday involving a transport and SUV on Highway
11, north of Burk's Falls.

Dusan Nedelko, 39, died in the crash between Pevensey Road and South Bernard Lake Road, at about 4 a.m., closing the highway for more than eight hours while Ontario Provincial Police investigated.

Police said a southbound Toyota SUV crossed over into the northbound lane and collided with a tractor trailer. The driver of the tractor trailer was
treated for non-life threatening injuries and released at the scene.
The highway reopened at about 12:30 p.m. The accident is still under

investigation.

Martin Parker, a friend of Nedelko, said he was known in South River as the "Disc Man."

Parker said Nedelko estabished the Disc Golf Course in Tom Thomson Park along the river in South River.

"Disc golf was his passion and he introduced many to this new sport, both young and old," said Parker, noting Nedelko operated disc golf events in the community, including the annual Ice Bowl Disc Golf
Tournament, part of the South River Lions Club Winterfest in
mid-February.

"The proceeds were donated to the Good Happening Food Bank in South River and over the years he has raised hundreds of pounds of food and hundreds of dollars for the food bank," said Parker.

He said Nedelko had a great love of nature and the outdoors. Parker said he led many wilderness trips into Algongiun Provincial Park during all seasons of the year."His presentations of the Eastern Wolf of Algonquin Park were memorable," said Parker. Nedelko, who was married to Kara Mitchell, worked full-time for
Wendigo Lake Expeditions Inc. which operates Project Dare, a youth
justice therapeutic adventure program, between 2004 and 2009. Last year
he became a part-time worker.

Andrew Torrance, supervisor for the program, said Nedelko was a skilled outdoorsman and mentor for the teen boys involved in the Dare program.

This was the email I received yesterday from Brian Hoeniger, the PDGA International Director.

It is with heartfelt sadness that I forward to you the following message which was sent to PDGA headquarters and the DiscGolfer magazine earlier today.

 

I regret to inform you that last night 39 year old Dusan Nedelko #21368 was killed in a car accident near Burks Falls Ontario, about 140 miles north of Toronto. Dusan was the disc golf leader in
what we call cottage country and one of the disc sports instructors in ODSAs
(Ontario Disc Sports Assoc) schools program. He developed the Algonquin Disc
Golf course at South River, and was the lead resource person for several other
central Ontario
course installations. Last year he TDed the Muckin' Around the Bay, Black Fly
Fling, and Algonquin Fall Classic PDGA Tour events. He was one of Canada’s
true disc golf heroes and will really be missed.

PDGA Canada will be honoured to contribute to the salute to Dusan and his memory. We can sponsor an event in his name or whatever form you determine the tribute will take.

 

Sincerely yours

 

Brian Hoeniger

PDGA International Director

Toronto Island, ON

The Statment from the ODSA (Ontario Disc Golf Association)

Loss of a great friend & ODSA Board Member - February 18th, 2010

 

Earlier today I received a phone call from Rob Wormald informing me of a huge loss to both myself and the Disc Golf community in general, announcing the death of Dusan Nedelko who was killed
tragically this morning in a head-on collision on Hwy 11.

Dusan was one of the greatest guys I've had the pleasure of knowing and we'd
become great friends over the past 4 years. His dedication to teaching
the players of tomorrow and educating the masses through ODSA Outreach
Programming will stand the test of time. Dusan will be sorely missed by
all those that had the pleasure of meeting him and playing disc golf
with him.

His passion for disc sports was incredible and ODSA has truly lost a great man and a champion in his own right!

Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends, we will miss him dearly!

Sorrowfully,

Christopher Lowcock
Executive Director
ODSA

There is going to be a trust fund set up in his name to help encourage youth in northern communities through outdoor activities. When more is known about this I will post it.

You can read more about Dusan's Fund here

http://www.discgolfontario.com/forum/viewtopic.php?TopicID=6863&...

[Pat Burke]

R.I.P. Brother! My Condolences!

[Chainz-4-Brainz]

For a man who gave so much, I regret that I can only give my thanks. I did not know this man, but I sure wish I had. To those close to him, my deepest condolences.

Nothing but chains from here on out...

[BogieWon]

My condolences to his wife, family and friends. Tragic loss of yet another disc golfer. RIP

[Tino "SilverBack" Medina]

sorry to hear. Condolences to the family and to all the freinds (disc golf family).

[Justin J. Platt aka Prodigy]

It's always a breath of fresh air when others remember those that are truly GREAT!