In loving memory of
Harischandra Bandhula Karunaratne

• March 25, 1939
• -
• May 01, 2016

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Harischandra Bandhula Karunaratne, known as “Dr. K” by his patients and colleagues, passed away on May1^st, 2016 at age 77 after a 38 year battle with heart disease. He was surrounded by his loving family at the time.  He was born in Colombo, Sri Lanka on March 25^th 1939 to L.D.S. and Clarice Karunaratne. He landed in the United States by way of New Zealand and Australia, and has resided in Central Florida since 1981. Dr. K opened his solo cardiology practice in 1983. He joined Florida Heart Group in 1999 where he practiced until his passing. He was extremely active at Florida Hospital in the department of Cardiology. He was the former vice president of the Florida Heart Institute, Director of Chest Pain Observation Unit, co-director of cardiovascular research, director of the Coronary Care unit, Chairman of the Department of Cardiology —  Florida Hospital Orlando Campus, and medical director of the Trina Hidalgo Heart Care Center since it was established in 2006. His honors include the inaugural “Care Award” for Florida Hospital staff, and he was a two-time recipient of the Teacher of the Year award for the Florida Hospital Residency program. He was a fellow in the American College of Cardiology and the American College of Physicians. Education was of the upmost importance to him, and he graduated with an M.B.B.S with Distinction in Medicine and an M.D. in General Medicine from the University of Ceylon. Bandhu, as he was known to his family and friends, was a loving and proud husband, father, grandfather, physician, and friend. His extensive knowledge and kind gentile manner will be truly missed by all.  He is survived by his devoted wife of 37 years, Cathy; daughter Cara Jones (Jack); sons Timothy and Sean Karunaratne; his siblings Vessamitha Weeraratne; Anoja Bulumulle; Dhamma Ranasinghe; Chithra Perera; Mahendra Karunaratne; and his granddaughter Scarlett Jones. A public memorial service will be held in the near future and will be published at a later date.