Late John Radonich remembered as ‘pioneer’ in retail industry
With only 400 pounds, determined businessman John Radonich opened his first electrical appliance store in Greensborough in 1965, which quickly turned into an empire. Now the community has bid farewell to one of the retail industry’s best.
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Well-known Greensborough businessman John Radonich is being remembered as a “pioneer” after the 87-year-old lost his battle to Alzheimers on April 13.
On the same day Mr Radonich was sacked from his first job as a sales representative he found out his wife was pregnant.
Promising to “never get the sack again” he vowed to start his own business with his wife’s only 400 pounds, safely secured in her Super fund.
He opened the suburb’s first electrical appliance shop Greensborough Bulk Store in 1965 — shortly after the 1961 recession — and quickly turned it into a retail empire.
One of his 200 staff members Derek Elso, who worked with Mr Radonich for more than 30 years, said he had “all the respect and confidence” of his workers.
“He had a connection with every employee,” he said
“He threw staff Christmas parties and bought toys for the employees’ children.
“No one had a bad word to say about him.
“On top of being a great man he provided the bulk of the area’s electrical appliances — Greensborough just had a dirt road through it when he started business here.”
Greensborough Bulk Store served the region for 45 years until it was brought out by Clive Peeters in its final years.
Mr Radonich also opened a video library Blockbuster Franchise at 91 Grimshaw St in the late 1980s.
He retired in 2003 at 72 years of age with seven shops, about 200 staff, including part-timers and an annual turnover of $40-45 million.
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Mr Radonich’s son David said his father had a “rare ability” to debate with others without creating conflict.
“He said everything with a smile,” David said.
“The fact he kept his word to my mother all those years back when he borrowed her only 400 pounds to start a business shows what a devoted person and father he was.”
Mr Radonich is survived by his wife, Doreen 85, and his two sons Peter and David.