Share 'Yeah, it's been a pretty tough time actually and it's very sad to lose John,' he added. Shane then said that his thoughts were with John's family, including his wife Delvene Delaney. 'He was one of the all time great people': Shane started by opening up about the recent loss of John Cornell, who died last week following a 20-year battle with Parkinson's disease Cornell died at his home in Byron Bay last week with Delvene by his side. The industry icon had been battling Parkinson's disease for 20-years before passing away at age 80. 'A classic Australian character, John Cornell made the lives he touched much richer, not only through donations, but also through his generosity of spirit, humour, humility and honour,' his family said in a statement.