Former mayor of Newcastle Jeff McCloy died at the age of 75, after a battle with Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
Mr. McCloy has been remembered as a prominent manager and icon of the Hunter development and construction sector.
The well -known businessman and philanthropist had been running a major development company in the region for several decades and served as Newcastle Lord Mayor between 2012 and 2014.
He was diagnosed with motor neuron disease about 12 months ago and ended his life with voluntary assisted dying on Friday.
Chairman of the McCloy group Paul Broad said that Mr. McCloy had died on his own conditions.
“He looked up and winked and drove away. He always looked death in the eyes and didn’t blink,” said Mr. Broad.
“He just kept that really strong exterior. I know in his heart that he was broken.
“He loved life. He loved fishing. He loved hunting. He loved life.“
MR McCloy was diagnosed with motor neuron disease about 12 months ago. ((Liver: McCloy Group))
Mr. Broad said that Mr. McCloy had still been “sharp as a tack” and an hour before he died instructions.
“[He was] Still designing access declarations to his latest subdivision, still talking about ensuring that we maintain the communities, we attract more first house buyers.
“[He was] Still about Hunter Street, still going on about the council and all the things that come under his skin.
“Exactly until the end he kept an enormous interest in things about the hunter.“
Last tribute flows
The current mayor of Newcastle Lord Ross Kerridge said that Mr. McCloy made an important contribution to the growth and infrastructure of the city.
“I only met him a few times, but his passion for the city was very clear”, “”
Said Dr. Kerridge.
“I think one of his great achievements … the first build of the John Hunter Hospital brought in the first schedule.
“The moment the city really needed that work, he was the one who delivered it.”
During his time as mayor, Mr. McCloy campaigned for the removal of the heavy railway line through the city center and the city renewal of Newcastle.
Mr. McCloy was the mayor of Newcastle from 2012 to 2014. ((ABC News: and Cox))
Mr. McCloy resigned from his role as mayor in 2014 in the aftermath of the Independent Commission against the investigation of corruption into prohibited developer donations.
He admitted that he had made forbidden donations to various liberal candidates in the region prior to the New South Wales 2011 elections.
Mr. Broad said that Mr. McCloy was disappointed that he had to resign.
But he said the time did not define him.
“He loved his time as mayor, and he certainly had unfinished things.”
Early life
Mr. McCloy grew up in Belmont and obtained a civil engineering diploma at the University of Newcastle.
In the late 1970s, he joined the Bouwbedrijf, founded in Belmont by his father, Don, before taking over the reins in the mid -80s.
As chairman of the McCloy Group, he supervised important projects for residential, commercial and pension living in Newcastle and the Hunter region.
Known for his philanthropy, Mr. McCloy supported a series of charity organizations and supported local artists and sports teams.
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