Crazy John Dead

[pr0n]

John Ilhan, the founder of mobile phone retailer Crazy John's, has died of a suspected heart attack today at just 42 years of age.

The high profile Muslim, and father of four, was the man behind the controversial Crazy John's persona, which became well-known through the company's sponsorship of sporting events.

Mr Ilhan, whose family migrated from Turkey when he was three, had a personal wealth estimated at more than $300 million largely derived from the mobile phone business he founded.

Mr Ilhan, was prominent in the Muslim community and hit out at radical Muslim leaders who were promoting intolerance and hatred earlier in the year.

"Loyalty first and foremost to Australia should also be remembered by some religious leaders, including some radical Muslim leaders in Australia, who pretend to speak for the faith, but instead promote intolerance and hatred," he wrote.

"My Muslim faith qualifies me to strongly denounce any racist and inflammatory comments made by any Muslim leaders because they perpetuate a stereotype that is unhelpful and dangerous."

He also wrote how proud he was to be Australian Muslim.

"I love Australia for what it stands for. It embraces opportunity, inclusion and, most important of all, mateship. What Australia has taught me is that if you give something - like the hand of friendship or provide a service that fulfils a need - you will be repaid many times over. They say that America is the 'land of opportunity', but I say Australia is. I'm a good example - a working-class boy made good."

His business career was not without its controversy.

Crazy John's was Telstra's biggest second-biggest dealer until July when it switched allegiances to mobile-phone operator Vodafone.

It marked the end of a relationship that had became acrimonious between Mr Ilhan's Melbourne-based company and Telstra.

Spanning more than a decade, the relationship soured last year when Crazy John's, which has more than 100 stores, sued Telstra for alleged underpayment of trailing commissions.

The legal battle ended in November when Crazy John's accepted a one-off payment of $5 million.

[vy_storm]

Well that's a bit of a shock.

[Julie]

Yep a shock indeed, when i first read the title I mistook it for crazy john DEAL not dead, I was thinking great another what phone should I buy thread. Well at least he seemed to have lived a good life albeit a short one and he has ensured the financial security of his family who are very devasted I would imagine.

[AttaBoy]

What a shocking news.

[pr0n]

kinda weird how he was on news last night then he dies today

[AttaBoy]

Was he sick?? Or it just happened??

[Lumps of cheese]

First i've heard of it, certainly a shock, 42 is too young.

[DAMQIK]

who?????????

[Emackulation]

Lol, for some od reason I thought Crazy John would look something like the mascot for the company. But I looked it up on google and found he was a normal looking 42 yr old bloke...was a surprise.

[AttaBoy]

Wonder who will have his Lamborghini???

[JD]

Wonder who will have his Lamborghini???

ill take it off his family's hands

[vlv8vic]

i'm amazed people don't know him or who he is. Heads out of the sand hey!
It is sad, classic rags to riches, hardworking etc. Young family. Hope they go alright.

[AttaBoy]

Yeah I'm surprised not many know him too, but I guess he is not always in the spotlight.

[Emackulation]

Well, the only way I knew of the business was that it sponsors some football, but we don't get his ads up here neither do we have a Crazy johns store, so thats my excuse

[vlv8vic]

Nor do we.. though i think i read the newspaper too much.

[Reaper]

Top bloke who's time was up way to early.

Reaper

[Cobez]

Is anyone getting the lame sms jokes??

"I went to crazy John's funeral, service was good, but reception was crap"


Wost.........joke................ever

[NORTI]

lol I liked it. I like the sad pathetic ones...... hehehehehe maybe I feel sorry for them?

[Scooter79]

He was quite fit bugger. Heart attack while on his morning jog. In the TT interview the day before his death, he recalled when he finished primary school his teacher congratulated all the kids and said how she was going to miss them and then she turned to John and said something to the effect of "I don't know what the future will hold for you. You'll probably end up in jail". I wish more young kids today had his attitude.

[Astranomical]

lol I liked it. I like the sad pathetic ones...... hehehehehe maybe I feel sorry for them?

Haha, its ok...i thought it was quite funny, as sad as that may be!