AN ENTRENPRENER businessman who created a multi-million pound car dealership firm in Co Antrim from a £500 wedding gift over 30 years ago has been described as "our hero" by his family following his death from cancer.
John Mulholland (55) passed away at home on Saturday morning following a diagnosis of kidney cancer 14 months ago.
Originally from the Antrim Road in north Belfast, the father-of-four, who was also passionate about rally driving, moved to Randalstown during the Troubles and set up the company with his wife, Alicia, selling cars from the side of their house.
'John Mulholland Motors' was named as the top family-run business in Ireland at major awards ceremony in Wembley Stadium in London two years ago and now employs more than 80 staff.
Mr Mulholland was well known for fronting TV adverts for his company.
A racing fanatic, he started rally driving at the age of 19 - his 21-year-old son Johnnie is also a rally driver - and will be buried in his favourite racing overalls.
While Mr Mulholland had been hospitalised for most of the past four months, his death was sudden.
He had also suffered the death of his mother Una in June, while his London-based consultant he was seeing for specialist treatment had also died suddenly due to complications from a malaria vaccine.
Since his diagnosis last year, Mr Mulholland had spoken openly about his illness and undertook a major fundraiser through his company with a plan to donate £40,000 by the end of 2019 to the Friends of the Cancer Centre charity, singling out the "vital" work of its nurses - in particular his specialist nurse, 'Melanie'.
Speaking to The Irish News yesterday, Mr Mulholland's daughter, Shona (28), said she remembered her father as "charismatic, energetic and driven man" who was also "very funny and gave her the best childhood you could imagine".
"Anything dad approached in life, he never expected to be defeated and genuinely we never expected this, we always thought he would get better," she said.
"We have been inundated with calls and texts over the past 24 hours from the nurses and doctors who cared for him - they all said they had never seen such a fighter.
"For us, he was one in a trillion Dad. He was our hero. He lived his life to the max and fitted more in his 55 years than most people could fit in 555.
"He approached everything in life with love and passion, be it his beloved dogs, horses and alpacas, rallying or simply teaching us how to tie a windsor knot for school.
"But he also taught us to always support those who support you which is why he got involved with Friends of the Cancer Centre after his first appointment with them. We cannot thank them enough for the dignity and care they provided dad and us towards the end. We felt like we had their arms around us the whole time and they fully understand Dad's wish to come home and moved mountains for him to be able to do that."
Ms Mulholland added that the family will be continuing her father's fundraising work for the charity and will "well exceed" the target
SDLP Antrim councillor Roisín Lynch said Mr Mulholland's death was a "tragic loss" and that he will be remembered as "shining light" in the local business community.
He is survived by his wife Alicia, daughters Alicia, Shona and Anna and son Johnnie.
