Lakewood Ranch man dies in bicycle accident

LAKEWOOD RANCH — East County residents mourn the loss of a beloved community member following a vehicle accident April 4.

Donald Mader, 83, sustained serious injuries April 4 and died Saturday, April 5, at Blake Medical Center, in Bradenton, after being struck by a vehicle while riding his bicycle at the intersection of Parkside Place and Lakewood Ranch Boulevard around 10:20 a.m. Friday.

His wife, Joyce, 81, sustained minor injuries in the accident.

A Florida Highway Patrol report states the Maders were riding their bicycles eastbound on Parkside Place, entering the intersection to turn left onto Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, when a 2004 Chevy Malibu driven by 22-year-old Lindsay Damery ran a red light and collided with the left front of Donald Mader and his bicycle.

Mader’s bicycle collided with Joyce Mader, as well.

Damery was traveling southbound on Lakewood Ranch Boulevard. After striking the Maders, Damery’s vehicle continued southbound through the intersection, hitting the left rear of a Landrover driven by 41-year-old Robert Speir.

Damery sustained minor injuries. Her three passengers and Speir were not injured.

Funeral services for Donald Mader were held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, in Sarasota, where Mader attended church.

Mader served on the Summerfield/Riverwalk Village Association as a member of the modification review committee and was a past neighborhood chairman for his neighborhood, Summerfield Lakes.

“Don was a true gentleman and loved Lakewood Ranch,” said Cristi Valentine, property management coordinator. “His dedication and commitment to the committees he served was admirable. He will be greatly missed.”

Fellow modification committee member and friend Ed Patricelli said Mader was a pleasure to work with.

“He saw that things were done correctly, properly and fairly when it came to decisions on residents’ requests,” he said.

Patricelli and his wife, Marisa, met Donald and Joyce Mader on a cruise in the Caribbean more than seven years ago.

“He was a wonderful, wonderful man — always had a huge smile on his face, friendly and just a sweet, easygoing guy,” Marisa Patricelli said. “And he did a lot of volunteer work. Always helped other people.”

The Patricellis said the Maders rode their bicycles together or walked almost everywhere. In fact, the couple rode their bicycles to meet them at Dunkin Donuts — about 3 miles away from their home — a few months ago.

“(The Maders) rode their bikes everywhere,” she said. “We still are in shock. It’s horrible.