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Crazy John's owner/founder John Ilhan dies aged only 42! |
>500
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: > 500
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The founder of mobile phone group Crazy John's, John Ilhan, has collapsed and died in Melbourne while on a morning walk.
The 42-year-old multi-millionaire collapsed near his home in the suburb of Brighton on Tuesday morning and could not be revived by ambulance officers, his company said.
The company would not confirm reports he had died of a heart attack.
Mr Ilhan, who was born in Turkey but migrated to Australia as a three year old, is survived by his wife Patricia and their four children - daughters Jaida, Hannah and Yasmin, and eight-month-old son Aidan.
Crazy John's managing director Brendan Fleiter said Mr Ilhan was an inspiration to everyone who knew or worked with him.
"He grew a business from nothing to become the biggest independent mobile phone retailer in Australia," Mr Fleiter said.
"John was always a big thinker, the difference was he always achieved what he said he would do."
Mr Fleiter said Mr Ilhan had followed his dream and created a business that employed hundreds of people and provided real competition in the mobile phone business for the first time.
"He cared about looking after his customers and the people who worked with him," Mr Fleiter said in a statement.
"John's legacy will be felt forever in Australia because he offered something new to consumers through his business Crazy Johns, which will continue to grow and build upon John's legacy."
Mr Ilhan opened his first mobile phone store in 1991 in the northern Melbourne suburb of Brunswick, according to his company's website.
Crazy John's continued to grow and by 1998 it had 15 stores in Victoria.
Today, Crazy John's is one of the largest independent phone retailers in Australia with over 120 retail stores and more than 600 staff.
In the 2007 BRW Rich List, Mr Ilhan, a vocal supporter of AFL club Richmond, was the 126th richest man in Australia with a fortune of $310 million.
He grew up in the working class Melbourne suburb of Broadmeadows, where he developed a love of soccer, and went on to play in the National Soccer League.
Telstra said its sympathies were with Mr Ilhan's family and friends.
"He was a long-time partner of Telstra's and it is extremely sad to see somebody die so young, particularly someone like John, who has made a significant contribution to Australia and this industry," a Telstra spokeswoman said.
Mr Ilhan was a strong supporter of charities and in 2006 established the Ilhan Food Allergy Foundation with his wife, after the couple discovered their daughter Jaida suffered a peanut allergy.
The foundation's aim is to support research to determine the causes of food allergies.
He also supported homeless children's charity Kids Under Cover, the Royal Children's Hospital neonatal unit, the Lighthouse Foundation, the Shane Warne Foundation and St Vincent De Paul, among others.
Mr Ilhan had plans to expand the Crazy John's empire into New Zealand, Europe and Asia, according to BRW magazine.
The company this year wound up a two-year, $70 million court case demanding Telstra repay several million dollars in commissions.
The company had a contract with Telstra which expired in July.
Mr Ilhan told BRW he wanted the business to be worth $500 million and have 500,000 customers within five years.
His company was seeking partnerships with large telcos for the international expansion, according to BRW.
The Richmond Football Club also expressed its sympathies.
"John was a passionate supporter and member of the club," said Richmond chief executive Steven Wright.
"He was a regular attendee at our games and functions and was always willing to assist his beloved Tigers in whatever way he could.
"His devotion to the yellow and black cause extended to a valuable sponsorship through his company Crazy John's.
"John's enthusiasm and energy around the club will be sadly missed by us all.
"On behalf of the club's directors, players, coaches, officials, staff, and all Tiger supporters, we extend our deepest sympathy to John's family, friends and the staff at Crazy John's."
source: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=308209
geez, so young! Only 42. Poor guy..... He grew up in a suburb not too far from me, relatively poor suburb too, great to see him achieve all this from that status.... RIP matey! Btw, Crazy John's is one of the largest mobile retailers here in Australia.........
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[ This Message was edited by: >500 on 2007-10-23 05:55 ] | |
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DarkKrypt
Joined: May 15, 2007
Posts: > 500
From: Melbourne,Australia
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RIP mate
yes he did do alot for himself,family and australia
pity, was young too; thats as old as my dad |
shaliron
Joined: Jan 15, 2006
Posts: > 500
From: Melbourne, Australia
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R.I.P. John
I was very surprised when I found out - heart attack at 42!
I guess this could have been caused by stress as he didn't look unhealthy at all. But very successful and a shame that he died so young.
A wooden spoon is a spoon made from wood. Source: WikipediaWinner of: Best Thread (Huge SE Portfolio) 2007, Best Post (Huge SE Portfolio) 2007, Best Signature 2007, and 2nd Best Nickname 2007. |
SE4NICK
Joined: Dec 27, 2006
Posts: > 500
From: Australia
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Wow that is quite young, and wasnt a crazy johns mobile network being launched soonish ?
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Posted: 2007-10-23 06:54
