Gary Johnston died two weeks after mesothelioma diagnosis

Jaycar millionaire founder Gary Johnston has been remembered by friends and former colleagues after died suddenly on Wednesday.

Jaycar founder and multi-millionaire Gary Johnston has died of mesothelioma just two weeks after being diagnosed with the late-stage, aggressive cancer.

Mr Johnston, who founded Jaycar in 1981, died in hospital on Wednesday afternoon following a short battle with the disease, which is caused by inhaling asbestos fibres.

Jaycar Group Michael Newsom confirmed Johnston’s passing from mesothelioma on Thursday.

The electronics company took to social media the day after his death to reveal Mr Johnston had died after a “short illness”.

Mr Newsom said in a statement the company was “deeply saddened” by Mr Johnston’s death and his “unique legacy” would live on in Jaycar.

Gary Johnston, managing director of Jaycar. Pictured in the Rydalmere Jaycar retail outlet. Picture: Renee Nowytarger

“We are deeply saddened by Gary’s sudden and untimely passing and we send our deepest condolences to his wife Kerry, Chris, Tim, Jeni and Robbie and families,” Mr Newsom said.

“The Group has a strong management team in place to continue Gary’s unique legacy and it is business as usual as we remember Gary and all he has achieved, not only in retailing but in his many other pursuits and philanthropic interests.”

Mesothelioma causes malignant tumours to form in the lining of the lungs, abdomen or heart, and symptoms can include shortness of breath and chest pain.

The average life expectancy for most mesothelioma patients is about 12 months after diagnosis.

It comes as Johnson began to step back from duties at Jaycar over the last 12 months.

The Australian estimated in 2019 that Mr Johnston was worth $587m.

He employed more than 1,000 people across his businesses and has more than 110 Jaycar outlets.

People have paid their respects to Gary Johnston. Picture: Renee Nowytarger

Mourners took to social media to pay their respects, with former employee and family friend Adrian Gilchrist writing of his broken heart.

“Gary Johnston picked me up the first time the job market chewed me up and spat me out back in 2005. He welcomed me into the Jaycar family (more than once),” Mr Gilchrist wrote on Facebook.

“Gary, thank you for your respect, guidance, support and friendship. Like the many lives you made better during your time on this planet, I have never be able to put into words just how much of a difference you made to mine.”

He had recently been in the news following a neighbourhood stoush.

Mr Johnston upset neighbours along Avalon’s millionaire’s row by building a giant letterbox across a public reserve that runs down to Pittwater.

At the time, as the matter was set to head to the Land and Environment Court, Mr Johnston said he was happy to buy the land which Northern Beaches Council said was home to a rare spotted-gum forest.

“Spotted gums on the northern beaches are as rare as lawyers, there are plenty of them around,” he said.