Georgia "GG" Alicia Radtke

Georgia “GG” Alicia Radtke (Grinos), age 95, passed away on Friday, November 20th, 2020 in Saratoga Springs, New York. Formerly of Rochester, New York, she and her family resided for many years in the suburb of Brighton.

Georgia grew up in New York State and Pennsylvania.  One of her greatest accomplishments is that she overcame a difficult childhood to achieve a life of stability, security and happiness.

She had many stories; this is one of them:

As very young children Georgia and her brother and sisters were sprung from an orphanage by their Nana.  Georgia was in front of the orphanage one day and looked up to see her Nana pull up in a horse and buckboard and say: “Shh…go get your brother and sisters.” Her Nana snuck them all away from the orphanage to raise them on a farm in Pennsylvania and in a variety of other homes.  She experienced one of the happier periods of her childhood living in that Pennsylvania farmhouse, which she visited with her children and grandson in the early 2000’s to meet the present owners.

Georgia was largely self-educated, progressing on to various computer-training programs underwritten by IBM in New York City and by the Treasury Department and the Pentagon. As an independent young woman, she worked for 10 years in cities from New York to Florida, finally arriving in Buffalo, NY, where she met her future husband.

She and Donald Radtke, married for 45 years, were partners in their residential income property, real estate and development businesses.  They had three children who were always aware of, and sometimes involved in, the family occupations.

Twice the Radtke’s embarked on memorable adventures, piling into their Ford station wagon, and tenting across the country to California on national parks tours. The family summered at their own East Spectacle Island on the Canadian side of the Thousand Islands.

Georgia volunteered at Planned Parenthood, the Landmark Society, and the Susan B. Anthony Republican Club. She and Don attended numerous performances at the Eastman Theater, which was across the street from a landmark building that they owned and in which they lived in their later years.  It was an Arts and Crafts building that was originally constructed as George Eastman’s exclusive “Key Club”. They and their friends were enthusiasts for the wide variety of performing arts available in Rochester. 

Georgia was unusually talented at sewing, upholstery and interior design and was a very accomplished cook. She founded a gourmet group that wined and dined together for 13 years. And she held a long run of annual Kentucky Derby parties … complete with mint juleps.

Always concerned about physical health, she was a lap swimmer for much of her life.  She gained local fame in her 70’s when she was recruited by her health insurance company to be the TV, newspaper and calendar poster girl for healthy senior living.

Georgia has lived in Saratoga since 2014 near her daughter Denise. She is preceded in death by her husband Donald Radtke, and her siblings Bill, Helen and Mary Ann. She is survived by her three children, Donna Radtke, Bill Radtke and Denise Radtke; grandchildren Jesse Perrin, Schuyler Thomas, Nicola Thomas and Asher Thomas; and great-grandchildren Zachary Perrin, Anna Perrin and Matilda Perrin.

Georgia was a devoted mother, a loving wife, and a dynamic bundle of energy. 

At the family’s request, there will be no calling hours or service.  A “Celebration of Life” is planned for the coming summer.

In lieu of flowers, if desired, friends can make a memorial contribution to The Community Hospice of Saratoga County, 179 Lawrence Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

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