Tributes flow for Craig Mawhinney

The sudden death of a well known Gympie son at the age of 44, has shocked and saddened the community, in particular those who knew him and loved him.

For a number of years Craig Mawhinney ran a food van travelling Queensland with his wife. Photo: Patrick Woods

A mother has shared her memories of her 44-year-old son after his unexpected death, recalling his “big heart and cheeky grin”.

Throughout his life Craig Mawhinney was many things, from a graphic designer for the Gold Coast magazine WhoWhatWhere to an entrepreneur and adventurer travelling around Queensland in a food van.

His mother, Marilyn Mawhinney described him as having a great sense of humour and someone who always saw the positive, despite having struggles that brought “down and out” moments in his life.

“Craig was a man with a big heart, always radiating happiness, positivity and hope for a brighter tomorrow,” Mrs Mawhinney wrote in Craig’s eulogy.

Luke Soanes (left) and owner Craig Mawhinney enjoy a pizza from the Back Dock Pizzaria.

She described his “cheeky grin, infectious laugh, and charismatic ways that drew everyone in”.

He had a great sense of humour, and was “the fun guy, ever ready for a good chat”.

“He could sell ice to an eskimo,” she said.

Mr Mawhinney attended Monkland Primary school and Gympie High when he was growing up, and was an avid horse rider who won many ribbons and trophies in his younger years.

After school he went on to study graphic design in Brisbane and then worked on the Gold Coast, designing for magazines.

Around 2013, when he met his (now former) wife, he started a small food van business with her, travelling around Queensland selling fast food, from Thai to pizza, to chiko rolls.

“Craig was a dedicated friend, always ready to help people, particularly those less fortunate than him,” Mrs Mawhinney said.

Unfortunately, this sometimes came to his detriment, and Mrs Mawhinney acknowledged the “challenges and shadows that touched Craig’s life in recent years”.

Craig Mawhinney will be remembered for many things, including his great sense of humor, big heart and cheeky grin. Picture: Supplied

Despite this, “his brightest moments was when he was with his two sons”, and Mrs Mawhinney remembered the board games he would design for them using the Woolworths collectable figurines.

Craig was admitted to hospital after a “sudden and heartbreaking attack of bad health, heat stroke and a mild heart attack” at the start of 2024.

After three weeks, beset with failing kidneys and declining health, he developed a blood infection and tragically died on January 20.

His funeral was held on February 9, 2024 at the Centenary Memorial Gardens in Brisbane.

He remains “the Craig we all loved -- a son, a brother, a loving dad, a partner, and a friend”, Mrs Mawhinney said.

Originally published as Tributes flow for Craig Mawhinney