Event | Andy Grudko Memorial | Pecanwood Estate | South Africa

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Our father, husband, brother and Uncle, Andy Grudko, passed away on the 25th of March 2025, just two days after his 70th birthday, following a short but intense battle with skin cancer. We all thought we had more time with him. His last six months were marked by a horrendous amount of pain, and he left us far quicker than any of us were prepared for.

My sister Natasha and I were fortunate to grow up in one of the most beautiful parts of South Africa, Hartebeespoort Dam — and specifically Pecanwood, a golf estate about an hour outside of Johannesburg, on the road to Rustenburg — is a place that still takes people by surprise with its beauty. It’s also the place our parents built our family home, which they are still in 27 years later. Tash and I lived there for many years before going out into the world to study and live elsewhere. My dad had recently finalised some things around the house — the deck, the pool area, and a few other things — so that we, as a family, could continue enjoying the home he built for us, even in his absence.

As per his wishes, we spread his ashes on Hartebeespoort Dam a couple of weeks after his passing. It was the most perfectly moody, drizzly day — so fitting for the occasion.

His memorial happened about a month later and was exactly as he would have wanted it: a room filled with people who meant the world to him, and who loved and respected him in return. Everyone came dressed in bright colours and tropical prints, a nod to the kinds of clothes he liked to wear — with some even wearing hats, one of his trademarks as a bald man who wore them well.

In the aftermath of his passing, I’ve come to realise how deeply important it is to document our time with the people we love. To take photos. To be present. That’s why I made it a point to take as many pictures as I could at the memorial — to capture those moments of connection and remembrance.

We are profoundly grateful to everyone who came to the memorial, who made the effort, who shared their stories, and who stood with us in our grief and love. It was a sad day, yes — but also one filled with warmth, laughter, and a deep sense of community. Thank you for being there.

Rest in peace Andy. We love you.

*Last but not least: Thank you to Dewald at The Boathouse at Pecanwood for hosting us and for going above and beyond to make the day seamless and so that we could focus on paying our respects and connecting with our guests. The food was amazing and the service was great.*

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