13 hours ago
Jeff McCloy tributes: 'We were Statler and Waldorf'
Tributes have flowed from across the Hunter and beyond for Hunter businessman Jeff McCloy, who died on Friday, aged 75.
Mr McCloy ended his life by voluntary assisted dying following a 12-month battle with an aggressive form of motor neurone disease (MND).
City of Newcastle led the tributes to Mr McCloy, who was Lord Mayor between 2012 and 2014.
"Jeff McCloy was one of the region's most successful business people of recent years. His drive, his can-do attitude and his passion for the community were all hallmarks of his success," Lord Mayor Ross Kerridge said.
"A particular achievement was his leadership and resolve that enabled his team to finish construction of the new John Hunter Hospital well ahead of schedule after the 1989 earthquake. This was crucial to Newcastle's recovery and reconstruction."
A generous philanthropist, Mr McCloy freely gave to many local charities and public art and sculpture projects. He also quietly and discreetly helped out many Novocastrians in personal difficulties.
"Like all big achievers, he had his critics, but no one can deny his passion and positive commitment to the community," Cr Kerridge said.
Deputy Lord Mayor Callum Pull said Mr McCloy became Lord Mayor after a period of instability and stagnation in local politics.
"In his time as Lord Mayor, he demonstrated strong resolve and a clear vision," he said.
"He got Newcastle moving again. The reforms he enacted unlocked the revitalisation of our city. Those reforms changed the mindset and approach to renewal in our city.
"I hope that today, Novocastrians take the opportunity to reflect on his legacy as a leader who believed in giving back to the city he called home."
City of Newcastle chief executive Jeremy Bath said Mr McCloy had left an indelible mark on the city he loved.
"Jeff saw the potential in Newcastle when many others didn't. Today, we almost take for granted that developers want to build and invest in Newcastle. This wasn't always the case.
"Jeff's belief in Newcastle dating back to the 1980s convinced others that ours was a town that had the potential to become a city."
Mr McCloy's political ally and deputy Lord Mayor, Brad Luke, celebrated his unyielding passion for the city.
"Jeff was the most visionary and inspirational leader I ever worked with," Mr Luke said.
"He had a passion for Newcastle that drove every decision and he put that passion into every project. I remember seeing that passion on display with every discussion around so many projects from the Anzac Walk to fixing the Town Hall. Jeff always wanted each job to be the best it could be for our community."
Hilton Grugeon yesterday mourned his mate of more than 50 years.
The pair met when Mr McCloy returned from Sydney to work with his father, Don, in the family's commercial building company, DF McCloy.
"We were Statler and Waldorf (the grumpy old men from the Muppets). We never knew who was who because it was interchangeable," he said.
Mr Grugeon said Mr McCloy's legacy throughout the region was "huge".
"The John Hunter Hospital was a great money-making legacy for him, which he spread around the town. What he did in Newcastle was never for himself because he didn't need anything; it was for the city and the region he loved."
"For some of us, the easiest thing is to throw money, but the hardest thing is to give your time. You can give money and go out and earn more, but when you give time, you've spent something that is irreplaceable, and he gave his time to the city."
Like others, Mr Grugeon paid tribute to Mr McCloy's leading role in the revitalisation of Newcastle.
"Newcastle was like a dead horse, and the chamber of commerce and local council were like a horde of blowflies hovering over the carcass. Jeff lit the fire that the Phoenix could come out of; the Phoenix we see today came out of that dead horse."
Tributes have flowed from across the Hunter and beyond for Hunter businessman Jeff McCloy, who died on Friday, aged 75.
Mr McCloy ended his life by voluntary assisted dying following a 12-month battle with an aggressive form of motor neurone disease (MND).
City of Newcastle led the tributes to Mr McCloy, who was Lord Mayor between 2012 and 2014.
"Jeff McCloy was one of the region's most successful business people of recent years. His drive, his can-do attitude and his passion for the community were all hallmarks of his success," Lord Mayor Ross Kerridge said.
"A particular achievement was his leadership and resolve that enabled his team to finish construction of the new John Hunter Hospital well ahead of schedule after the 1989 earthquake. This was crucial to Newcastle's recovery and reconstruction."
A generous philanthropist, Mr McCloy freely gave to many local charities and public art and sculpture projects. He also quietly and discreetly helped out many Novocastrians in personal difficulties.
"Like all big achievers, he had his critics, but no one can deny his passion and positive commitment to the community," Cr Kerridge said.
Deputy Lord Mayor Callum Pull said Mr McCloy became Lord Mayor after a period of instability and stagnation in local politics.
"In his time as Lord Mayor, he demonstrated strong resolve and a clear vision," he said.
"He got Newcastle moving again. The reforms he enacted unlocked the revitalisation of our city. Those reforms changed the mindset and approach to renewal in our city.
"I hope that today, Novocastrians take the opportunity to reflect on his legacy as a leader who believed in giving back to the city he called home."
City of Newcastle chief executive Jeremy Bath said Mr McCloy had left an indelible mark on the city he loved.
"Jeff saw the potential in Newcastle when many others didn't. Today, we almost take for granted that developers want to build and invest in Newcastle. This wasn't always the case.
"Jeff's belief in Newcastle dating back to the 1980s convinced others that ours was a town that had the potential to become a city."
Mr McCloy's political ally and deputy Lord Mayor, Brad Luke, celebrated his unyielding passion for the city.
"Jeff was the most visionary and inspirational leader I ever worked with," Mr Luke said.
"He had a passion for Newcastle that drove every decision and he put that passion into every project. I remember seeing that passion on display with every discussion around so many projects from the Anzac Walk to fixing the Town Hall. Jeff always wanted each job to be the best it could be for our community."
Hilton Grugeon yesterday mourned his mate of more than 50 years.
The pair met when Mr McCloy returned from Sydney to work with his father, Don, in the family's commercial building company, DF McCloy.
"We were Statler and Waldorf (the grumpy old men from the Muppets). We never knew who was who because it was interchangeable," he said.
Mr Grugeon said Mr McCloy's legacy throughout the region was "huge".
"The John Hunter Hospital was a great money-making legacy for him, which he spread around the town. What he did in Newcastle was never for himself because he didn't need anything; it was for the city and the region he loved."
"For some of us, the easiest thing is to throw money, but the hardest thing is to give your time. You can give money and go out and earn more, but when you give time, you've spent something that is irreplaceable, and he gave his time to the city."
Like others, Mr Grugeon paid tribute to Mr McCloy's leading role in the revitalisation of Newcastle.
"Newcastle was like a dead horse, and the chamber of commerce and local council were like a horde of blowflies hovering over the carcass. Jeff lit the fire that the Phoenix could come out of; the Phoenix we see today came out of that dead horse."
Tributes have flowed from across the Hunter and beyond for Hunter businessman Jeff McCloy, who died on Friday, aged 75.
Mr McCloy ended his life by voluntary assisted dying following a 12-month battle with an aggressive form of motor neurone disease (MND).
City of Newcastle led the tributes to Mr McCloy, who was Lord Mayor between 2012 and 2014.
"Jeff McCloy was one of the region's most successful business people of recent years. His drive, his can-do attitude and his passion for the community were all hallmarks of his success," Lord Mayor Ross Kerridge said.
"A particular achievement was his leadership and resolve that enabled his team to finish construction of the new John Hunter Hospital well ahead of schedule after the 1989 earthquake. This was crucial to Newcastle's recovery and reconstruction."
A generous philanthropist, Mr McCloy freely gave to many local charities and public art and sculpture projects. He also quietly and discreetly helped out many Novocastrians in personal difficulties.
"Like all big achievers, he had his critics, but no one can deny his passion and positive commitment to the community," Cr Kerridge said.
Deputy Lord Mayor Callum Pull said Mr McCloy became Lord Mayor after a period of instability and stagnation in local politics.
"In his time as Lord Mayor, he demonstrated strong resolve and a clear vision," he said.
"He got Newcastle moving again. The reforms he enacted unlocked the revitalisation of our city. Those reforms changed the mindset and approach to renewal in our city.
"I hope that today, Novocastrians take the opportunity to reflect on his legacy as a leader who believed in giving back to the city he called home."
City of Newcastle chief executive Jeremy Bath said Mr McCloy had left an indelible mark on the city he loved.
"Jeff saw the potential in Newcastle when many others didn't. Today, we almost take for granted that developers want to build and invest in Newcastle. This wasn't always the case.
"Jeff's belief in Newcastle dating back to the 1980s convinced others that ours was a town that had the potential to become a city."
Mr McCloy's political ally and deputy Lord Mayor, Brad Luke, celebrated his unyielding passion for the city.
"Jeff was the most visionary and inspirational leader I ever worked with," Mr Luke said.
"He had a passion for Newcastle that drove every decision and he put that passion into every project. I remember seeing that passion on display with every discussion around so many projects from the Anzac Walk to fixing the Town Hall. Jeff always wanted each job to be the best it could be for our community."
Hilton Grugeon yesterday mourned his mate of more than 50 years.
The pair met when Mr McCloy returned from Sydney to work with his father, Don, in the family's commercial building company, DF McCloy.
"We were Statler and Waldorf (the grumpy old men from the Muppets). We never knew who was who because it was interchangeable," he said.
Mr Grugeon said Mr McCloy's legacy throughout the region was "huge".
"The John Hunter Hospital was a great money-making legacy for him, which he spread around the town. What he did in Newcastle was never for himself because he didn't need anything; it was for the city and the region he loved."
"For some of us, the easiest thing is to throw money, but the hardest thing is to give your time. You can give money and go out and earn more, but when you give time, you've spent something that is irreplaceable, and he gave his time to the city."
Like others, Mr Grugeon paid tribute to Mr McCloy's leading role in the revitalisation of Newcastle.
"Newcastle was like a dead horse, and the chamber of commerce and local council were like a horde of blowflies hovering over the carcass. Jeff lit the fire that the Phoenix could come out of; the Phoenix we see today came out of that dead horse."
Tributes have flowed from across the Hunter and beyond for Hunter businessman Jeff McCloy, who died on Friday, aged 75.
Mr McCloy ended his life by voluntary assisted dying following a 12-month battle with an aggressive form of motor neurone disease (MND).
City of Newcastle led the tributes to Mr McCloy, who was Lord Mayor between 2012 and 2014.
"Jeff McCloy was one of the region's most successful business people of recent years. His drive, his can-do attitude and his passion for the community were all hallmarks of his success," Lord Mayor Ross Kerridge said.
"A particular achievement was his leadership and resolve that enabled his team to finish construction of the new John Hunter Hospital well ahead of schedule after the 1989 earthquake. This was crucial to Newcastle's recovery and reconstruction."
A generous philanthropist, Mr McCloy freely gave to many local charities and public art and sculpture projects. He also quietly and discreetly helped out many Novocastrians in personal difficulties.
"Like all big achievers, he had his critics, but no one can deny his passion and positive commitment to the community," Cr Kerridge said.
Deputy Lord Mayor Callum Pull said Mr McCloy became Lord Mayor after a period of instability and stagnation in local politics.
"In his time as Lord Mayor, he demonstrated strong resolve and a clear vision," he said.
"He got Newcastle moving again. The reforms he enacted unlocked the revitalisation of our city. Those reforms changed the mindset and approach to renewal in our city.
"I hope that today, Novocastrians take the opportunity to reflect on his legacy as a leader who believed in giving back to the city he called home."
City of Newcastle chief executive Jeremy Bath said Mr McCloy had left an indelible mark on the city he loved.
"Jeff saw the potential in Newcastle when many others didn't. Today, we almost take for granted that developers want to build and invest in Newcastle. This wasn't always the case.
"Jeff's belief in Newcastle dating back to the 1980s convinced others that ours was a town that had the potential to become a city."
Mr McCloy's political ally and deputy Lord Mayor, Brad Luke, celebrated his unyielding passion for the city.
"Jeff was the most visionary and inspirational leader I ever worked with," Mr Luke said.
"He had a passion for Newcastle that drove every decision and he put that passion into every project. I remember seeing that passion on display with every discussion around so many projects from the Anzac Walk to fixing the Town Hall. Jeff always wanted each job to be the best it could be for our community."
Hilton Grugeon yesterday mourned his mate of more than 50 years.
The pair met when Mr McCloy returned from Sydney to work with his father, Don, in the family's commercial building company, DF McCloy.
"We were Statler and Waldorf (the grumpy old men from the Muppets). We never knew who was who because it was interchangeable," he said.
Mr Grugeon said Mr McCloy's legacy throughout the region was "huge".
"The John Hunter Hospital was a great money-making legacy for him, which he spread around the town. What he did in Newcastle was never for himself because he didn't need anything; it was for the city and the region he loved."
"For some of us, the easiest thing is to throw money, but the hardest thing is to give your time. You can give money and go out and earn more, but when you give time, you've spent something that is irreplaceable, and he gave his time to the city."
Like others, Mr Grugeon paid tribute to Mr McCloy's leading role in the revitalisation of Newcastle.
"Newcastle was like a dead horse, and the chamber of commerce and local council were like a horde of blowflies hovering over the carcass. Jeff lit the fire that the Phoenix could come out of; the Phoenix we see today came out of that dead horse."
