Alumni & Friends R.I.P.
A list of Patricians (2021 to the present) who are no longer with us can be found by clicking this link.
Notices or short paragraphs describing the lives of Patricians who have passed away prior to 2023 can be found on 'sub page' of this section (see menu above or click here).
Tony Gaynor has maintained a much longer list of Patricians (since 1981) who are now resting in peace.
Recently Departed ...
Thomas (Tom) BROPHY Rev Fr (50-57)
Tom passed away on May 28 after a life-long period of service in the priesthood, principally in the Ballarat diocese. Born on 27 January 1940, he was one of a family of eleven. It was reported in the Senior Students section of the 1956 Patrician magazine that “(he) is not quite sure how many brothers he has at the school”! The same edition of the school magazine reports Tom’s fervent interest in the ‘Magpies’, noting that he often heard the voice of his French master at many matches. He was also a dab hand around the billiards table, was fond of dancing, and enjoyed ‘tickling the ivories’ with many modern tunes.
Tom was ordained in 1972 in Ballarat, spent a number of years at various parishes, and then became Parish Priest at Penshurst, followed by Terang, Sea Lake & Ouyen, Ballarat Nth, Mildura and Wendouree, so he was well-known in virtually all of western Victoria. Retirement would have been a welcome rest in 2015. Of recent years he had not been in the best of health and passed away peacefully.
RIP Tom
Vin Bourke (65-68)
Vin died as a result of a medical episode while driving in Bacchus Marsh on Tuesday 16 April. He was driving his car with his wife Helen when the car hit a tree. Both were transferred to Royal Melbourne Hospital but unfortunately only one of them – Helen – was able to be saved. He was in Leaving during his last year at St Pat's, and represented to SPC in both the First XVIII and XI footy and cricket teams. He completed his last year of schooling at Xavier, after which he spent most of his working life in Local Government, principally as a property valuer in the north-west suburbs of Melbourne and nearby regional areas.
He continued his sporting interests after school, especially with the Sunshine YCW, receiving a life membership there in 1987. A popular personality at St Pat's, he will be sorely missed by his Helen, his older brother Phil and other family members. RIP Vin.
Tony BAHR (61-68)
Tony died peacefully overnight on 23 March 2024. He had been valiant in his efforts to continue life as normal over recent years, despite his battle with cancer. Over the last couple of months, a number of his old mates visited him in Pakenham (see the article in the Alumni/Patricians Recently section of this website), and he was adamant that he was going to attend our annual gathering at the Glenferrie Hotel in February 2024. His presence there was an inspiration to all. RIP Tony.
Peter Norman CROZIER (56-62)
Peter passed away on Wednesday 28 February 2024. He will be sadly missed by his family, including his son, Tim, and sister, Noni. His years at St Pat's concluded after completing a second year Matric in 1962. Old Patricians will recall Peter as being an active member of our community – his academic strengths were in the Humanities (esp. History and English), he was a regular on the recording table at Aths meetings, a Corporal in the Cadets, a member of the YCS, and a Prefect in his last year. RIP Peter.
Bernard ('Barney') MOORE (58-64)
Many Old Patricians of the '60s era would remember Barney. He was a solid competitor on the Aths track, a very bright student, a member of Our Lady's Sodality, and the regular scorer for the First XI cricket team for at least two years. After leaving St Pat's at the end of '64, he began a Librarian's course and was the Timekeeper for the Patricians FC. He spent a number of years as the librarian at Loyola College, one of our 'connection schools'. In recent years he lived at Faversham House and passed away quietly in his sleep on 16 February 2024. RIP Barney.
Graeme DONNELLAN (58-65)
After a short illness, Graeme died on 20 December 2023. He is well remembered and was well liked by all Patricians of the late 50s and 60s. Most recently, he had been living on the Mornington Peninsula, after having spent many years in Gippsland.
On learning of the passing of his old school mate, Chris Curtain recalled their many games of handball (both within the school grounds and in Graeme's home suburb of Pascoe Vale), Graeme's stylish dress sense, and his natural popularity among his classmates. Much more recently, Chris enjoyed the company of Graeme and Janice at his place in Bath (UK) when they holidayed in Europe in 2019.
During his school years, he was involved in a wide range of activities, excelling in many. In his last year (1965) he was handball champion in addition to being a member of the First XVIII football team, a very competitive swimmer, a sergeant in the cadets, and a member of many other groups.
Graeme is survived by his wife, three sons and many grandchildren, as well as his brother Lawrie and his family.
RIP Graeme
John PIRRIE (57-60; 15 Dec 23) ... RIP John
Raymond ANDERSON (42-47; 21 Nov 23)
Ray was born in 1932, not far from St Pat's, and began his schooling there in 1942. Although he always lived in Melbourne, Ray traveled far and wide in Australia in his employment within the aircraft industry. He was not a current member of our Association and so it was fortunate that his niece contacted us with an offer to hand over the St Pat's cap and tie which he kept ever since leaving school in 1947. It says something about the connection which many Old Patricians feel for our old place in East Melbourne that, despite not being in contact with other classmates to the extent of joining the Association, Ray nevertheless kept those small items as a personal reminder of his time with us. More of his interesting story, and a photo, can be found by clicking on this link.
RIP Ray
Michael COPPIN (55-60)
Michael had been living in Cairns for many decades, having been at St Pat's from 1955 to 1960. He died on 1 September 2023 (or near date). An old classmate and Patrician, Peter King (52-59), reported that he and Michael flatted together in Sydney during the late 1960s. Eventually, Michael went north and Peter went south, but they remained friends over the years.
RIP Michael
John Leonard LEEDS (52-62)
John passed away in August, and his funeral was held on Tuesday September 12 at 11.30. The venue was St Mary's Church in Hampton.
One of the many Patrician attendees was Jim Smith who was able to copy some of the photos on display, with the permission of John 's family (see John and trophies by scrolling down on our Victorian Collections website).
Jim reported on the impressive eulogies delivered, describing John's character and achievements during his school days, in his relationships with his children, and in life generally. During his St Pat's days, he was clearly a strong leader, being a Prefect, Capt or VC of many sports, including Captain of the First XVIII (with Peter Gaffney RIP, below, being his VC). He was quite a character, one who was highly driven to finish or succeed in whatever job or goal he set himself.
The following extracts from the 1962 edition of The Patrician demonstrate the breadth of John's sporting skills in addition to football and cricket. The first set of results are for Athletics, the second for Swimming, the third for Tennis and the last for Long Kicking. The latter would put John on the short-list for an AFL draft these days ... 198 ft converts to a 60 m kick ... one from inside the centre square on most grounds!
RIP John (16 October 1943 to 31 August 2023)
Peter Gaffney (20 July 23; 54-62)
Peter is well known to most Patricians as an outstanding and influential colleague through his College days, and throughout his adult life. His funeral was held on Friday 28 July at St Francis Xavier Parish, Montmorency. A goodly number of Patricians were in attendance, including two who shared the celebrant duties – Gerry McKernan and Gerry Healy (along with Fr Brian Glasheen). Others present included Tony Cavanagh, Denis Dalton, Michael Dolan, Brendan Lane, Kevin Lane, Paul McColl, Bernie Power, Joseph Santamaria, and Pat Talty.
The event was streamed (and saved) so readers may wish to view some of the proceedings via the link (it begins with some background music, with the ceremony beginning at about the 8 min mark; eulogies begin, at about 28 mins, with a couple of short family ones followed by a longer piece, about the 32 min mark, by Fr Colin Bourke who was Peter's PP at St Martin's in Rosanna).
Thanks to the Gaffney family and Le Pines Funerals for permission to use the above photo.