Cairns pharmacist Mario Calanna dies at 72

##MP##

The long-serving Cairns pharmacist and businessman, Mario Calanna, has died at the age of 72.

Mr Calanna opened his first pharmacy at Woree and went on to own a chain of pharmacies in north and south-east Queensland.

He had been on the boards of Anglicare North Queensland, Cairns Hinterland Hospital Health Service, Pharmacy Guild of Australia Queensland Branch, Australian Institute of Management and Leadership, and the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation.

In May this year, the Calanna chain of pharmacies was sold, with Mr Calanna citing renewed treatment for blood cancer as a factor in what he called “a difficult decision". 

##BA##

In 2018, Mr Calanna published Design a Good Life: From Farm to Farmacia to Whole Health, a memoir and guide to good health.

##PQ##

The book told the story of young Mario having to decide between farming sugar cane or following his aunt into a career as a pharmacist.

He graduated in 1970 and worked initially in John Brosnan’s pharmacy in Cairns.

In 1975, the Calanna Medical Centre was built on land where the family farmhouse had stood for more than fifty years.

Mario opened Calanna Pharmacy Woree on his father’s 70th birthday on 8 June 1976.

The book also revealed Mr Calanna’s approach to a wholistic view of human health, including a focus on lifestyle and mindset.

In a Facebook post, his family said Mario leaves an enormous legacy.

“Mario will always be remembered as a humble soul, and as such, had an incredible ability to connect with all people.

“Mario leaves an outstanding legacy to this world, particularly the Far North Queensland region, through the many community organisations he founded and participated in over his whole life.”

The president of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Trent Twomey, said Mr Calanna was renowned as a pharmacist in FNQ.

“Mario was a member of the pharmacy community for over half a century.

“I awarded Mario an honorary life membership of the Pharmacy Guild in 2021.

##PQ2##

“I know the thoughts and prayers of the whole pharmacy community are with his family during this time.”

Cairns MP, Michael Healy, said he was saddened to hear Mr Calanna had died.

“Mario was a great community leader, pharmacist, and family man.

“My heartfelt sympathies go out to his family and staff at Calanna pharmacies.

“We've lost a gentle and humorous soul, who made the world a better place.”

Mario Calanna is survived by his wife, Linda, and his children, Matthew and Catherine.

Funeral arrangements are yet to be confirmed.