No Longer Excited

[aniken]

Gold Coast businessman "Big Kev" Kevin McQuay has died from a heart attack, his wife Michelle said today.

The big cleaning product marketer, with the colourful shirt and the catchphrase "I'm excited", was 56.

Mrs McQuay said her husband died in the Allamanda Private Hospital on the Gold Coast at 8.30pm (AEST) yesterday.

Mrs McQuay said the death was a huge shock because the burly businessman, who enjoyed a colourful career, was "on the road to recovery getting healthy and getting rid of stress''.

"He died of staph infection in the end - it gave him a heart attack ... it's a huge shock, it all happened quickly, it all happened within a couple of hours,'' Mrs McQuay said.

"It was an absolute accident - he was on the road to recovery.

"He unfortunately was on a major health kick, had lost weight and was thoroughly enjoying life - he had a big turnaround and then this happened.''

Mrs McQuay said the family was devastated and wanted the media to respect its privacy.

"He has left behind three beautiful sons [aged 28, 26 and 24], who totally adored him," she said.

Big Kev's Ltd joined the ranks of the Australian Stock Exchange, listing in August 2001 in a process Mr McQuay described as "the people's float".

However, Big Kev's failed to make money in a notoriously competitive industry and, three years later, Mr McQuay opted to cut his losses and resign as chairman.

Mrs McQuay said her husband would be remembered as a cheery identity, who warranted a "huge big bash" after his funeral, which was yet to be finalised.

Queensland Premier Peter Beattie said Mr McQuay, a former property developer who went on to make corny TV ads for his cleaning products with the "I'm excited" slogan, was a "larger than life" character.

"He certainly had his ups and downs but he was a very colourful Gold Coast character and he will be sadly missed," Mr Beattie told reporters.

"He was one of those people who makes the world a lot more colourful and a lot more exciting. He had a really big heart and he had a go."

Impact Capital Limited chairman Bruce Judge, whose company last year took over Big Kev's, said: "I have very happy memories of dealing with him. He was certainly a very memorable personality.

"Although there were problems within the Big Kev company, on the personal side I got along very well with him and had a lot of respect for the guy," Mr Judge said.

"And I think he was underestimated in lots of ways as far as his abilities were concerned.

"He said to me on a couple of occasions 'I'm not quite the buffoon that they think I am.' "

[jEtONiT]

gonna miss the big guy.. was a bloody legend!!

[ZAP]

He challenged me and a mate to a drinking contest during Indy 2001.

We were at the Mariott and he made us look like kids. Not only did he drink twice as much as us, but he shouted a round for the entire bar.

He was a top bloke and a huge drinker.

He will be missed.

RIP Big Kev

[DallasQLD]

I thought he was top bloke despite most of his products not working. You could not help but like him....

[GOLDIE]

We need more people like him in the world he always made things happier when you were around him.

Ian

[wicksy]

I was shocked when I read this thread RIP big kev u excited alot pf people

[Trough Lolly]

aww these are sad times when chaps such as kev give up the ghost.. rip mate!

[TRY29T]

Big Kev's Goo remover was the best Sh1t for TC, The RC car's rubber was glued to the road after wiping it with this goo remover to the tyres.

RIP Big Kev

GC

[phantomchic]

very sad news

one of the reports I heard today said Stress was a major contributary along with golden staff infection,,,

shazzy

[ducatijb]

RIP Big Kev...At least he had a go in life and will surely be remembered for his cheerful attitude