Tributes are flowing for Melbourne rich-lister and property developer Jonathan Hallinan after he tragically lost his battle to cancer aged 47.
The founder and managing director of construction group BPM Corp, passed away on Thursday after a two-year cancer battle that followed a bone-marrow transplant in 2021.
He died peacefully at the Royal Melbourne Hospital after spending two days sharing “beautiful goodbyes” with his close family.
The entrepreneur, who had an estimated net worth of $866 million according to The Australian’s 2019 Richest 250 list, is survived by his wife of four months Mikka Hallinan and his three children.
In a post to Instagram, Ms Hallinan said her husband’s health took a turn for the worse three days before his death after he developed an infection, the Herald Sun reports.
“His doctor broke it to him that with a bacterial bug, chest infection, fevers of 39 (degrees plus) and overall unwellness from the level of his disease in his body, he wouldn’t be making the drug trial he was aiming for,” she shared.
Ms Hallinan said the businessman left the world in “true Jonnie style”, saying he passed amid a thunderstorm that arrived “out of nowhere” and left “a clear sky behind”.
“If you saw it, know it was the sky announcing to the heavens that Jonathan Hallinan was coming,” she said.
“Jonnie passed in the storm (on Thursday) morning. In his own words, Jonnie said he was going home.
“He had two days of beautiful goodbyes with his close family, kids and I, after two years of his cancer battle, before he left us for the sky.”
She concluded her tribute to her husband by saying it was an “absolute privilege” to be his wife, and while she was hurting she sought comfort in knowing she helped him “find true freedom”.
Ms Hallinan added in an Instagram story on Sunday that she would continue to share the couple’s memories with her friends and followers on social media.
“We shared so much of our journey with so many of you all, including those struggling to come to terms with the loss of Jonnie, people in the cancer community and those battling their own adversities,” she said.
“So I’m going to continue sharing the things I’m doing to help navigate through these difficult times and maybe they can help some of you too.”
The She Series artist concluded the post by writing: “One last thing to remember: Every storm runs out of rain”.
The pair eloped in November last year, with Ms Hallinan sharing they wanted to spend “the latest part of Jonnie’s recovery from cancer as husband and wife”.
They got married a day before he started his next round of cancer treatment, and celebrated at their South Yarra penthouse.
Mr Hallinan’s suit business The Cloakroom, also shared its sadness for the loss of its director in an Instagram post.
“It is with a heavy heart that we share the news of the passing of our beloved business partner Jonathan Hallinan,” the tribute read.
“Jon was an integral part of our company, and his impact on all of us at The Cloakroom will never be forgotten.”
The company reflected on Mr Hallinan’s love for three-piece suits, bold fabrics and his signature wide lapels.
“Jon brought so much passion and dedication to everything he did, and his legacy will continue to inspire us in our work,” the company said.
“Rest in peace Jon. You will always be remembered and cherished.”
At age 10, Mr Hallinan was a paperboy before launching his successful career. In addition to founding BPM and The Cloakroom, he was also the owner of Strings of Life cafe and Grandmaster Recorders.
The businessman scored his first property at just 19-years-old and told The Australian in 2019, it took relentless drive and “21 years of being completely committed at all cost” to become successful.
“There is nothing I wouldn’t sacrifice,” he said. “To get to this position took a drive that was all-consuming.”
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In his last Instagram post, Mr Hallinan shared he was using all his strength to recover from his “latest setback”, explaining he had nothing left to give to anyone else.
“It is important for me to preserve all remaining energy for myself and my family,” he said.
“Sending my love to you all for the holiday season.”
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