Jim Cantalupo, McDonald's Chief, Is Dead at 60

The New York Times ^ | April 19, 2004 | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

[Einigkeit_Recht_Freiheit]

OAK BROOK, Ill. (AP) -- Jim Cantalupo, chairman and CEO of McDonald's Corp., died early Monday at age 60, according to company officials.

Jim McKenna, presiding director of the hamburger giant's board of directors, said Cantalupo died of a sudden and unexpected heart attack in Orlando, Fla., where McDonald's was holding its international owner and operator convention.

"Our entire McDonald's system mourns this tragic loss, and our thoughts and prayers are with Jim's wife, Joann, and his family. Our deepest sympathies go out to them," McKenna said.

"Jim was a brilliant man who brought tremendous leadership, energy and passion to his job. He made an indelible mark on McDonald's system."

Cantalupo emerged from retirement to be named chairman and CEO in January 2003 after a major management shake-up. He had worked for McDonald's for 28 years.

[Einigkeit_Recht_Freiheit]

Can't be good for the image of the Golden Arches. If you got shares - sell baby sell.

[dawn53]

In the past year I've known three men who died of sudden heart attacks, they were all under 60.

All were physically fit, with no apparent heart issues. One had been on the Atkins diet for a year or so, but other than that, their weight and their diets were "normal" and they exercised, in fact led very active lives.

On the other hand I have a great uncle who has eaten nothing but rich and high calorie foods his whole life. He's been overweight for as long as I can remember and has never exercised a day in his life. He just had his 95th birthday.

It's the story of Jim Fixx, IMHO. Control is an illusion, and when your numbers up, no matter how much exercise or what your diet (and I do believe in eating right and exercising), it's your time to go.

[Burkeman1]

Sad. Such an early death. Sympathies to his wife and family.

Having said that- I don't think I have stepped into a McDonald's in over 2 years. The quality of their food truly does vary from franchise to franchise. And their French Fries- that I used to love- are horrible. What happened?

I don't often eat at fast food places but when I do- my first pick is Wendy's.

[Burkeman1]

Yes- My Grandfather and Great Uncle both lived into their late 80's and were born in the late 1890's. They drank hard liquor, smoked, and ate every piece of fat rare bloody meat put in front of them along with a heavily buttered backed potatoe topped with sour cream.

Meanwhile- other members of my family have dropped dead very prematurely even though they did all the "right" things.

[familyofman]

Hard to beleive but when the Big Mac was first introduced by a Pittsburgh franchise owner (without corporate approval) The corpoate bigwigs tried to have them taken out of the outlets. Only after a legal battle did the Golden Arches finally embrace the new concept of the Big Mac.

The Big Mac closely resembles a 2 tier hamburger that had been sold at the Eat 'N Park restaurants for years under the name of the Big Boy.

[Caipirabob]

Ronald McDonald House Charities

WORLD CHILDREN'S DAY™ AT MCDONALD'S™ RAISES MORE THAN $15 MILLION FOR CHILDREN IN NEED

“Through World Children’s Day at McDonald’s, we are proud to once again help improve the lives of millions of children,“ said Jim Cantalupo, McDonald’s Chairman and CEO. “Thanks to the generosity of our franchisees, suppliers, employees and customers worldwide, this year’s event was extremely successful in raising both funds and awareness for the ever-increasing needs of children everywhere.”

More information on the charity work of Jim Cantalupo's McDonalds.

Sounds like they helped a lot of people in his time.

[Admin Moderator]

Please post the original headline of an article.

Thanks.

[Dane]

Powerbar Founder(and former worldclass marathon runner)Maxwell collapses, dies at 51

Just shows it can happen to anyone at anytime.

[Dane]

And their French Fries- that I used to love- are horrible. What happened?

They gave into the aniaml rights whackos and replaced beef tallow with vegetable oil.

[gorush]

"Having said that- I don't think I have stepped into a McDonald's in over 2 years."

Nor have I...ever since learning that Joan Kroc gave millions to NPR.

[agrarianlady]

The partially-hydrogenated oil is probably worse than the beef tallow.

[Burkeman1]

For crying out loud! Is that true?

[SamAdams76]

Using Jim Fixx as an example to demontrate that exercise and a healthy diet is futile doesn't hold with me. For every Jim Fixx, there's 99 others who live long, healthy lives as a result of healthy lifestyles (good eating, exercise). Of course, those other 99 don't make the headlines.

Most overweight people I know do not live good quality lives. Many of them are dealing with health issues such as chronic back pain, diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. That was why I made the lifestyle change I did (lost 100 pounds through diet and exercise). It may not add any more years to my life but now whatever years I have will be much better. My chronic backpain is gone and so is my high blood pressure, constant fatigue and tiredness, etc.

As for this McDonald's chairman, I would be surprised if it turns out he ate at McDonalds a lot. I would suspect that most executives of McDonalds don't eat the food in those restaurants unless it is for a photo shoot or something.

[BunnySlippers]

My brother died of a heart attack at age 43. I consider myself on notice.

[Agnes Heep]

It's the story of Jim Fixx, IMHO. Control is an illusion, and when your numbers up, no matter how much exercise or what your diet (and I do believe in eating right and exercising), it's your time to go.

It isn't really a question of living versus dying, but how you're going to live between now and the time of your death. I think people are generally happier when they maintain their physical strength and immunity. To that end, exercise and a good, high-protein diet are great things.

[Rebelbase]

"potatoe "

Dan, is that you?

[Lockbar]

I once read that there are more heart attacks on Monday mornings than any other time of the week. I guess something to do with work related anxiety?

[Burkeman1]

Dang! I thought no one would catch that! I always make a point of spelling that word in the proper form. The true correct spelling of "potato" is really "potatoe"!

[Rebelbase]

I say potato, you say potatoe..................

[BluH2o]

Read thru some of the responses ... healthy lifestyle certainly goes a long way to increased longevity; however, stress can negate a healthy life style. People handle stress differently, some seem to thrive on it, others don't. Stress is a far bigger killer of the middle aged then will ever be known ... it can't be quantified.