Tributes flow for Sunshine Kebabs founder Ramazan Dogan

Tributes are flowing for the founder of a Queensland kebab chain who passed away suddenly in his wife’s arms.

Ramazan Dogan’s warmth as a loving family man and hardworking business owner shone brightly on the Bundaberg community for more than three decades.

The founder of the aptly titled Sunshine Kebabs franchise and Bundaberg flagship restaurant on Targo Street passed away suddenly on Friday at the age of 61.

Mr Dogan’s wife of 38 years, Gunkut, told the Bundaberg NewsMail her husband and father of their four children had always been the kind of man to put others before himself.

“He was the love of my life,” she said.

Mr Dogan had been working as usual last week, but then later in the evening started to feel unwell.

Sunshine Kebabs owner Ramazan Dogan was a loving family man and a hardworking business owner.Photo: Max Fleet

In the comfort of his wife’s arms, he slipped away.

“It was such a sudden death. He passed away in my arms,” Mrs Dogan said.

“It was peaceful for him, a shock for me.

“It was probably the best place for him to be at that time.”

Mrs Dogan said her family had all been praying and paying tribute after his funeral on Saturday.

She said their children and grandchildren all adored the “generous, beautiful man”.

Mr Dogan was the kind of man who’d make stressful, busy work days joyous and had a caring relationship with his customers.

“He’d just be cheeky and give everyone a good laugh,” Mrs Dogan said.

“They were all adored, no matter what.”

Mrs Dogan said while the loss of Ramazan was heartbreaking, his memory would always live on in his first store.

“There’s just so much joy in talking about him,” she said.

Active in the local community, Mr Dogan was also a beloved member of the Bundaberg Mosque.

He made the move to Queensland from Sydney with his brothers 31 years ago when they bought a farm and then the kebab shop.

When it became a challenge to maintain both, the family sold the farm and put their heart and soul into Sunshine Kebabs and it’s been their pride and joy ever since.

Sunshine Kebabs is now a successful franchise, with dozens of outlets across Brisbane and regional Queensland.

Mr Dogan’s smile was well-known in the community.

“He provided well for all of us,” Mrs Dogan said.

“He was always thinking of other people.”

Scores of people across Bundaberg have been taking to social media to express their shock at the loss of one of the region’s most well-known figures.

Locals have been talking about his beaming smile and the way they could go away for months, come back and Mr Dogan would still remember how they liked their order.

Mrs Dogan thanked the Bundaberg community for their outpouring of support in the wake of her husband’s death.

“We love the community, too. Everyone’s been good to us in Bundaberg,” she said.

“We thank everyone for all their prayers and thinking of us. We appreciate everyone, we always have and always will.

“He will always be a part of that store.”