Obituaries – 2017

December 30, 2018

St Patrick’s College honours those Old Boys who have sadly left us and recognises their contribution to the life of the College and to broader society in general:

2018:

  • Mick Kershaw (SPC 1969-1970, PY 1974) died on February 17, 2018 after a battle with cancer. Mick was a day student from Ballarat and finished Form 2 (Year 8) in 1970.
  •  William (Bill) Madden SPC 1939-43) died on February 2, 2018. Bill was a weekly boarder from Cardigan and enjoyed his long association with St Patrick’s, if only from a distance in more recent years, says his son Bernie. Bill left St Patrick’s at the end of 1942 and enjoyed a long and fruitful life. He trained for the priesthood at Corpus Christi College for three years before deciding early in third year that he did not truly have a vocation to the priesthood. He continued until the end of third year before leaving to return to the family farm at Windermere at the end of 1945. He worked on the farm for a time in return for board and lodgings before taking up more full-time casual work with his brother-in-law in his chaff mill and farming contracting business. In 1947, Bill commenced teacher training and taught in primary schools until his retirement at the age of 60 in 1984. He taught in many rural schools until settling in Geelong and spending the next 17 years teaching and as Principal in Geelong and Melbourne Western suburb schools. Bill’s beloved wife, Noreen, died in 2010 and he spent the rest of his life caring for himself at home for all but the last three months of his life when he was cared for by his family. Dad was a true family man and leaves behind five children, 18 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren (with two more on the way). He was also much loved by his many nephews and nieces, most of whom grew up in the Ballarat area. Many of his nephews and their own sons have also attended SPC. 
  • Lawrence (Lance) Michael Vagg (SPC 1960-62, PY 1963) passed away on February 2, 2018.- Lance boarded at St Patrick’s in the early 1960s, as did his brothers Robert Neil and Neil Francis (deceased).- Lance was a boarder from Echuca and completed his Leaving certificate in 1963.
  • Daryl Thomas Keating (SPC 1962-65, PY1967) was a boarder from Werneth, a place south-west of Ballarat. He completed Form IV and was in the U15s football team in 1964, and played House cricket in 1965. Daryl died on February 2, 2018, aged 68 and was the loved father of Dione, Warwick, Chad and Karl and an adored grandfather to nine grandchildren.
  • We pass on our deepest condolences to the family, including wife Maria, of Noel Richardson (SPC 1957-59, PY1960), who died on January 21, 2018 after suffering a major stroke on January 11. Noel was a boarder from Wodonga and was the older brother of College Legend Barry Richardson (SPC 1961-64). Noel completed his Leaving certificate in 1959. In that year, he was also a member of Our Lady’s Sodality, and the St Vincent de Paul Society. He was also in the First XI cricket team, the 2nd XVIII football team, and the 2nds tennis.-
  • We extend our condolences to the family of John Moon (SPC 1955-1960) who passed away peacefully at home in Lara on December 27, 2017. John was a boarder from Ivanhoe. He finished his Matric in 1960, and was a member of the Sodality of Our Lady as well as the St Vincent de Paul Society. He was in the 1st XI cricket team where it was noted that, ‘John Moon’s accurate spin attack was a highlight of the bowling’. He was in the 2nd XVIII, and a member of the Crocc country team which were BPS winners in 1960. His father Walter Moon was also a St Patrick’s boy (SPC 1937-1938), as was his brother David (SPC 1959-1964).
  • The College is mourning the passing of its oldest known Captain and Dux Des Nolan (SPC 1936-38) who died peacefully on February 2 at the age of 95. Des was the 1938 College Captain and Dux and was a generous supporter of and donor to the College in recent years. Des was the eldest of five children to Constance and William Nolan. His early life was spent in Red Cliffs, near Mildura and Donald and he went to live with his grandparents in Thornbury due to his academic ability, achieving a number of scholarships, which brought him to St Patrick’s in 1936. Des was in the Honours Class in 1938, and was Dux and Captain of the College in 1938. After leaving school, Des started his working life as a clerk with the Navy Department in St Kilda Road, Melbourne in the very early stages of World War II. Following the war, he went to work with the Bureau of Meteorology and became the Principal Technical Officer for Weather Services, specialising in Aviation Forecasting. He worked in various places, including the head office in Melbourne, Essendon and Tullamarine Airports as well as stints in Perth, Cocos Islands and at the RAAF bases in both Butterworth (in Malaysia) and Point Cook. Some of Des’ fondest memories from these working times were of briefing the pilots of Air Force 1 for the President of the USA (LBJ), and having dinner with the Queen Mother at a dinner hosted by the Prime Minister of that time Robert Menzies in Cocos.He also had very fond memories of times in cricket teams playing against the NZ All Blacks in Cocos and when he represented the RAAF against a representative team from Shell Oil in Borneo. At his funeral, Des’ son Bernard recounted his father’s story of playing against a Malaysian Army team and their captain, an Indian called Manjit Singh, berating his batting partner for calling for a run when the ball was hit near Des.Apparently the comment to his batting partner was, -‘don’t you ever call me for a run when you hit it near that man, he may be white, but he can still throw a ball’. Sport was central to Des’ life and he was an A Grade sportsman in multiple sports (football, cricket, tennis, squash, table tennis, golf and lawn bowls) and that during his life he played in eight grand finals, winning six of them. Des married Mary (now deceased) in Northcote in 1948 and the couple celebrated close to 70 years of wedded bliss. Together, they had five children and today have 15 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. Des and Mary retired to Echuca in later years and spent some of the happiest years of their life there, before returning to Donald for an even quieter, simpler life revolving around family visits, iced coffees, listening to Mozart and watching Roger Federer and the Cats. May you now rest in peace.

 

2017

  • Fr Kevin Flanagan (1942-44) passed away on December 21, 2017. Kevin was a boarder from Tocumwal, NSW, a member of the Sodality of Our Lady and completed his Leaving certificate at SPC. Father Flanagan,- aged 89, had- only retired after 54 years as a priest in July and was one of Albury’s most well-known and respected citizens. He was the parish priest at Sacred Heart in North Albury for 40 years and had a strong connection to the nearby St Anne’s Primary School. Father Flanagan studied to be a priest in Sydney with his first posting upon being ordained by Bishop Francis Henschke at Narrandera followed by stints at Wagga and time abroad in the southern highlands of New Guinea as a missionary. A plaque commemorating his 50- years as a priest was erected at St Anne’s with the school also bestowing the honour of naming one of its houses after Father Flanagan. He was regarded for having -the exceptional ability to relate to everyone, regardless of age, faith, background, gender and culture-. Outside of the church, Father Flanagan was a sports lover with his many and varied interests including being a boxer when he attended St Patrick’s College. He later developed a passion for canoeing which was used to good effect when he was recuperating from his heart attack more than a decade ago. Father Flanagan also followed Melbourne in the AFL, enjoyed watching cricket and loved a day at the races. To read more about Father Flanagan’s legacy, click on http://www.bordermail.com.au/story/5135277/a-life-well-lived-has-ended-for-father-kevin-flanagan/

     

  • William Patrick Ward (1954-56) died on November 24, 2017. William was a boarder from Casterton and Prefect in 1956. William was also a Member of Sodality of Our Lady, and the Holy Name Society, and in the 3rds rowing crew. In 1955 was noted as The Most Improved Dancer!
  • James -Jim- Michael Shaw (SPC 1944-49) sadly passed away on November 21, 2017 and he was farewelled at a requiem mass at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Hawthorn. Jim was born on November 21, 1931 and was the loved son of Oswald and Lysle (both dec). During his time at SPC, he was a recipient of a scholastic prize (fourth prize) in his Matric year, passing all his subjects with Honours. He was Dux of Alliance Francaise and finalist in the Purton Oratory. He was winner of Middleweight wrestling, played in the 2nd XVIII football team, and 1st XI cricket. Jim also won a scholarship to Newman College, Melbourne University. Jim spent his career as a surgeon, with 10 years notably as the medical doctor for the Hawthorn Football Club in the late 1960s and early 70s. He was the beloved husband of Gabrielle and together they were married for a mighty 57 years. They have two sons, Michael and Paul and Jim was a proud grandfather to Campbell, Eloise, James, Harry and Zara. Jim regularly caught up with his former classmates at the bi-monthly Old Boy lunches at the Malvernvale Hotel. He took over as co-ordinator after John Grogan’s (SPC 1942-50) passing and often caught up with the likes of Gerry Walsh, Kerry Joyce, John Martin, Michael Martin and Fr Gerard Dowling among others. Jim was a loyal Old Collegian of St Patrick’s College and attended the funerals of many Old Collegians of the College. May you now rest in peace Jim.-
  • Brian Crowe (SPC 1942-45) sadly died on November 3, 2017 and during his time at SPC, – completed his Leaving Certificate, was in the Sodality of Our Lady, came second in the 200 yards house athletics and was in the 2nd XVIII Football team. In 1945, he was in the 1st XVIII Football team, coached by Br O’Malley. Brian’s wife Jeanne remembers that many years later, Brian had the opportunity to introduce the couple’s son Darrien, who was playing in the St Kevin’s football side against SPC at the time circa 1971, to Br O’Malley. Jeanne recalled Brian had -many happy memories of St Patrick’s- and had a successful career as a primary school teacher and principal.
  • Peter Vincent Mulcahy (SPC 1943, PY1947) died on August 13, 2017 and was the beloved husband of Patricia, father of Michael, Tony, Fiona and Danni and grandfather of seven. Peter was a boarder at St Patrick’s from the Melbourne suburb of Caulfield, and he completed Second Year (Year 8) in 1943. He was a music student, and played football in the Junior Shed competition.
  • The College was saddened to learn that our oldest living Old Collegian Neave Young (SPC 1935-36) passed away on his 100th birthday on May 13, 2017. Neave came to St Patrick’s as a boarder from Melbourne, and completed his Matriculation in 1936 with Honours. He was a tremendous athlete, being a member of the athletics Champion House Team, the -‘Olympians’ in 1936. He was noted as the -‘best middle distance (runner) who has represented St Pat’s for some years. He was unlucky in not breaking at least one College record. He was runner-up in the Open Cup and competed for SPC in the Victorian Catholic Secondary Schools Sports held at the MCG on October 24, 1936, where he ran fifth in the 880 yards event. He was in the 1st XVIII football team, and the 1sts Rowing Crew competing in the HoL in 1936. He married in 1942, and served in the AIF in WWII. He lived in White Cliffs and was a devoted teacher, becoming Principal of the Warrong State School in 1957. One of Neave’s students, who spoke at his funeral, said he believed the values that Neave instilled in his pupils at Warrong were derived in part from his wartime experiences and enhanced his teaching skills, to get the best out of his pupils and to encourage them to want to learn. He was a devoted teacher and an early environmentalist, as a member of the Gould League of Bird Lovers. When Neave retired from teaching in 1977, together with his wife Sheila, he travelled around outback Australia visiting gem fields and living his passion for geology. Neave was featured in an ABC video last year as a 99-year-old reflecting on his time in WWII, which can be viewed at https://vimeo.com/212515141.– – –
  • We pass on our deepest condolences to brothers Leon Nolan (SPC 1985-87), Gerard (SPC 1981) and Shane (SPC 1977-78) on the passing of their mother Carmel Joan (Joan) on November 23. We understand there were a few humorous stories from her sons’ SPC boarding days- recalled at her funeral at Manangatang.
  • We extend our deepest sympathy to the families of Leo Patrick McMahon (SPC 1949-52), pictured above, who sadly passed away on October 29. Leo was born on February 2, 1935 in Ararat and was the second of three sons of the late Francis and Margaret McMahon. The family moved to Ballarat when Leo was three months old to help his recently widowed grandfather. Leos’ early childhood in Ballarat coincided with World War II and his family recalled stories of many -pretend- adventures in the backyard with his older brother Kevin. He also enjoyed a strong bond with his younger brother Brian and the three brothers all relocated to Queensland later in life, where they continued to support each other. Leo completed his schooling and Matriculation at SPC and was a member of the 1st XVIII Football. It was noted in the College Annual that -Leo displayed dash and skill as a rover-¦-. Leo was known to those who knew him as a -quiet achiever-. After completing high school, his aptitude for maths and love of the outdoors led Leo to the profession of Land Surveying. As a licensed surveyor, Leo was successful in both private practice and government work. Upon his retirement, he was awarded the honour Emeritus from his profession, to retain his professional title. His family were greatly impressed, as they also were that he could magnify the moon and various astronomical points with a Surveyor’s Theodolite. Leo met his wife Colleen during his professional studies and together, they enjoyed 56 years of marriage, six children and eight grandchildren. His children remember their early childhood on acreage outside Ballarat spent with their father lighting a bonfire with their cousins and toasting marshmellows, drinking billy tea and enjoying the enormous array of stars. In 1980, the family relocated to Brisbane. At the age of 40, Leo took up running to help alleviate asthma. As a practical person who would make a decision and then follow it through with commitment and enthusiasm, by the age of 60 Leo had undertaken his first half marathon and at the age of 74, he ran his last. He continued to run up to 5km until about eight months before his passing. He was also actively involved with St Vincent de Paul, the Blind Eye Ministries and taking Holy Communion to the sick as well as support and kinship he found with the Men Alive Ministry. He was a loving and active grandfather and also a keen sports fan, especially when the AFL and Test cricket were involved. He is survived by his wife Colleen and six children Francis, Therese, William, Catherine, Josephine and Genevieve and eight grandchildren.
  • Fr Paul Victor Mercovich (1961) died in Alice Springs on September 22 while on holidays, aged 80. The Funeral Mass for Fr Paul was held in St Arnaud with the Rite of Committal held at the Ararat Cemetery. A Vigil Mass was celebrated at St Joseph’s Charlton. Paul was at SPC in 1961 where he completed his Matriculation, and was also on the staff as an assistant teacher. After finishing his Matriculation, he went on to the Corpus Christi College at Werribee to start studying for the priesthood. He was at Werribee from 1962-65. In 1966 he went to Glen Waverley where he commenced his theology training. He was ordained for the Diocese of Ballarat at Ararat on May 31 1969. He served as an Assistant Priest in the Parishes of Koroit, Camperdown and Colac. He was appointed Administrator of the Parish of Birregurra, followed by appointments in Inglewood and Ballarat. Fr Paul has served as the Parish Priest of the Parishes of Ouyen, Charlton, Ballarat East and St Arnaud. He also served as Chair of the Diocesan Education Board.
  • We were saddened to learn of the sudden passing of William -‘Bill’ Vincent O’Loughlin (SPC 1971) on November 7. Bill was a staff member at Damascus College in Ballarat for the past six years and educated thousands of young men and women in Catholic education and other settings over his career. Bill attended SPC for only one year where he completed Form 1. He was a clever student and came second overall in his class. He was also in the SPC cross country team, being a member of the U13s where he came second in the interschool cross country race.

We learnt of the passing of Adam Mark Slomczewski (SPC 1983-86) who died on December 11. Adam was born in Poland in February 1971 and he and his brother Peter (SPC 1985-86) attended SPC as day boys. Adam was in the tennis team, competed in the Lap of the Lake and was in the junior soccer team, as well as U14 basketball. He was also quite artistic and had one of his watercolours featured in the College Annual of 1986. He left SPC at the end of Form 4 in 1986.

  • The College was saddened to hear the news of the recent death of Rebecca Norton, who attended St Patrick’s in the mid-1950s when she was known as Robert Norton (SPC 1954-56). While at SPC, Robert was a brilliant student claiming the prize for Dux in 1954, and being awarded a Junior Government Scholarship in 1955. In his Leaving year, Robert was placed third in the year and again awarded a scholastic prize. In 1956 Robert was admitted into the second year of the Diploma of Civil Engineering at the School of Mines (SMB) Ballarat, also enrolling in the Diploma of Mining Engineering as well. Robert excelled in both streams of engineering and was awarded the inaugural Josephine Brelaz Prize for Science in 1957 and again in 1960. With diplomas in both Civil and Mining Engineering from SMB, Robert was admitted to the third year of the Bachelor of Engineering degree at Melbourne University in 1961, where he lived on campus at Newman College. He completed his degree at the end of 1962. Robert’s work experience took him to Mount Isa Mines, which is where his professional career began. Over the next decade, Robert worked in the mining industry throughout Australia and PNG. It was in 1973 that Robert made the difficult decision to undergo gender realignment surgery. Now known as Rebecca, she applied to have her industry qualifications, including her Mine Managers’ tickets changed to her new name. Industry organisations such as the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, and the Institute of Engineers (new Engineers Australia) acknowledged her changed gender status, and she was elevated to Fellowship level. Rebecca’s stellar career in a traditionally male-dominated sector continued to advance, and she became the Chair of the Minerals Industry Consultants Association, a founding member of the Victorian Chamber of Mines, and was a member of a number of other industry organisations.As a consulting engineer, Rebecca worked around the world including for the United Nations Development Program in Kashmir, Pakistan, PNG and Burma, as well as across Australia. Rebecca returned to Ballarat in 2005, remaining keenly interested in world and local events. She rekindled her love of Latin through the U3A, and was a regular attendee of the Ballarat Mechanics’ Institute Friday night Twilight Talks, until 2012 when failing health prevented her from attending. She spent the last five years in Kirralee Nursing Home and despite her health and sight deteriorating over that time, she still enjoyed her 3pm champagne ritual, until August 16 this year when Rebecca rejected the bottle brought to her. The following morning, she slipped into a coma and gently passed away.
  • The College has been notified that Tom McGill (SPC 1948-52) has died. Tom was a boarder at SPC from Benalla. He was a keen sportsman, and played in the 1st XI cricket team in 1951 where he exhibited -‘excellent form’. He was described as a -‘useful left-hand bowler possessing the natural spin of most left-handers. A safe field who is capable of making some useful runs’. He was also in the 1st XVIII football team of 1951 and 1952. He was -‘a devastating player on his day. His marking, kicking and left hand turn were of great service on the half-forward flank’. Tom was also awarded his Grade III Wool Classing certificate in 1952.
  • Fr Peter Taffe (SPC 1951-55) died on September 2, aged 79. Peter- was a day student,- a member of the cadets and the Sodality of our Lady, and completed his- Matriculation in 1955. Ordained a priest in Ballarat on July 27, 1963, Fr Peter served in the parishes of the Diocese as an Assistant Priest before being appointed Administrator of the Parish of Coleraine, later serving as Parish Priest in the parishes of Edenhope, Robinvale, Birchip and Apollo Bay. Fr Peter retired from active parish ministry in 1997. Bishop Paul conducted the funeral Mass for Fr Peter in St Patrick’s Cathedral Ballarat on September 8, with the homily given by Fr Adrian McInerney.
  • The College was saddened to learn of the passing of Steven Molloy (SPC 1987-88) after an extended illness on September 19. Steven Gerard Molloy was a day student from Waubra and completed his Year 12 in 1988 and was a recipient of an academic prize for religious education. We pass on our deepest sympathy to Steven’s family and friends.
  • David Vaughan (SPC 1943-45, PY 1948) sadly passed away on September 8, aged 90. David followed in his father’s footsteps (Gerald William Vaughan), boarding at SPC with his three brothers Peter, Joseph and Arthur, from Wentworth, NSW. David excelled at athletics at SPC and was the winner in the 220 yards handicap (Open) race in the College athletics. He completed his Intermediate A year in 1945 and went on to become an accountant, working with Shell Oil in Melbourne for many years until his retirement. David was married to Julia (dec) and is survived by his three children, Marie, Divina and Gerrard and two grandchildren.- –
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    The College was saddened to hear of the tragic passing of Ryan James Engel (SPC 2008-13), who was a day student from Mt Helen. Ryan and his good friend were killed when their ute hit a tree in Soldiers Hill, Ballarat on August 25. Ryan had just finished a roofing apprenticeship and was working as a roof tiler. He also played basketball with- Phoenix and footballer for Mt Clear and Buninyong clubs, and loved fishing. We extend our sympathy to both families.

  • Ian Gerrard Slockwitch (SPC 1950-60),- sadly died on August 23, aged 75 years. Ian or -Slock- as he was known to many, was a boarder from Mt Martha, coming to SPC at the tender age of nine years old. Ian was captain of the Athletics team, and won a sports prize for sprints. He was in the 1st crew in rowing and in the 2nds team in tennis. Ian played in the 1st XVIII football team from 1956-1960 and in 1960 was awarded the Best & Fairest (Br O’Malley Cup) and was a prefect in his peer year. A gifted sportsman, Ian’s football skills came to the notice of Richmond Football Club scouts, where he played three seasons after leaving school, including several games with the seniors. This started his lifelong support for his beloved Tigers. Through his association with Richmond, Ian gained a cadetship with BP and through their support graduated with a Commerce degree at Melbourne University, which included Psychology. After discovering he didn’t really enjoy the corporate life, Ian decided to embark on a teaching career and gained his secondary teachers certificate, and later, Post Graduate Diploma of Social Studies and a Master of Education. He gained selection to the Commonwealth Department of Air to teach secondary students at the RAAF School of Education in Penang, Malaysia, on secondment from the Victorian Education Department. On his return to Australia, Ian pioneered new approaches to personal family and educational counselling and he became a qualified counselling psychologist. His reputation was soon realised and he was headhunted by the Warrnambool Institute of Advanced Education (now the campus of Deakin University), and was progressively promoted to Director of Student Services. The last 20 years of his working life in Warrnambool, focussed on student counselling, and were clearly his happiest and most prodigious. In his eulogy, Ian was described as -someone whom you could share just about anything and he would offer you wise counsel and support-. He is survived by his devoted wife – Rosemary (whom Ian met at school through SPC’s relationship with Mary’s Mount), his children Tony, Marie-Claire (dec) and Nicole and four grandchildren.
  • We have been notified that Paul White (SPC 1934-40) passed away on December 6, 2016. Paul was living in the UK and is survived by his wife Winifred.
  • We have been notified that Brian Murray (SPC 1952-54, PY1955) has died. Brian completed his Leaving Certificate in 1954. He was a boarder from Warracknabeal, and was in the 2nds rowing crew.
  • Brian Francis Gibson AM (SPC 1949-1953) was a boarder at St Patrick’s, completing his Matriculation year in 1953. Even before receiving his results, he was awarded a full residential scholarship at the Creswick School of Forestry, where he commenced in 1954. Brian had a long career in forestry, ultimately moving to Tasmania where he was involved in the timber industry. His career in business included being Managing Director of Australian Newsprint Mills Ltd from 1980 to 1983, and Chair of what was then the Hydro-Electric Commission of Tasmania from 1989 to 1993. He was also National President of the forest industry peak representative body, the National Association of Forest Industries, from 1987 to 1991. Brian was elected to the Australian Senate at the 1993 election, as a member of the Liberal Party of Australia representing the state of Tasmania. After resigning from parliament, Gibson was a board member of Concept Systems, a payroll and human resources management company; Director of the Tasmanian Advisory Board of the AMP Society; Australian Government nominated director to the Board of the Australian Stem Cell Centre; director of the Australian National Maritime Museum, and several other companies. Brian Gibson was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in June 1988, and received the Centenary Medal in 2000. St Patrick’s College was saddened to hear that Brian died from cancer on August 15, aged 80 years, at his home in Tasmania.
  • We have been notified that Tom Cantwell (SPC 1937-38), of Birchip, died on November 12, 2016 aged 92.
  • Brother Brendan C Delahunt passed away on August 6. Br Delahunt taught for four years at SPC between 1960 and 1963. During his time, he was coach of the athletics team, senior cricket and senior football teams. He also coached the boys in public speaking, and was the senior economics master. He was transferred to CBC St Kilda in 1964. He is survived by his beloved wife Helen (nee Walsh) of 50 years and children, James (dec), Julie and Abdul and Moira and Anthony. He was a grandfather to five. Resting peacefully.
  • Paul Callahan (SPC 1947-52) passed away peacefully on August 3 at Numurkah surrounded by his loved ones after a wonderful life. Paul was the youngest son of James and Iris and loved brother of Don, Jack, Carmel, Basil, Frank (all dec), Peter and Maureen; he and his brothers Don, Jack, Basil, Frank and Peter all attended SPC. Paul boarded in his final year in order to focus more fully on his studies. No doubt his proudest moment at SPC was winning the McNeil Cup for tennis in 1951. He was the winner of the Dr Podger Cup, Open Champion in 1952 (Tennis) and was in the 1st Tennis team. In the 2nd XI cricket team, the College Annuals noted he was –¦ A very forceful stroke-maker, whose form, however, was rather patchy. His fielding improved tremendously during the season-. – Paul continued to play competitive tennis in local competitions and tournaments until he was 80. Countless boys and girls in and around Numurkah were coached by Paul. He was also a mad Collingwood supporter, keen golfer and faithful member of the St Johns Numurkah parish. Paul was married to Avis (dec) and a loved father and father-in-law to Kevin and Mary-Ellen, Sharon and Clive, Susan and Paul, Ditty and Paul and Joanne, and grandpa to 12 grandchildren. He passed away, aged 82. Paul was always a proud Old Collegian who attended various reunions in recent years in Shepparton and Ballarat.
  • We send our deepest sympathy to Laurie Larmer (SPC 1935-40) and his family on the sad passing of his wife Pauline on August 4.
  • Cori Wayne Stewart (SPC 2006-10, PY2011) died suddenly, aged 25, on July 3. His funeral was held at St Patrick’s College’s Chapel on July 17 with SPC Year 9 students forming a guard of honour. Cori was a day student from Haddon and left to pursue an apprenticeship. The College extends its deepest condolences to Cori’s family, including brother Jaeden (SPC 2007-2010, PY2012). Cori is survived by his wife Kelly and children Riley, Lilly and CJ.
  • The College was also recently notified of the death of Andrew Hartwig (SPC 2004,PY2009), who died peacefully at home on December 15, 2016, aged 25.
  • The College was recently notified that Graham Sheahan (SPC 1949-50, PY1952) sadly died in September 2016. The College Annuals record that Graham was only at SPC for two years, but was keen on football and participating in the St Roch’s comp in 1949.
  • Patrick Crudden (SPC 1942-1946) died peacefully surrounded by family on June 26 at Acacia House, Shepparton, aged 88. Pat was a boarder from Tynong in Gippsland, in the 1st XI cricket team in 1946, cadets, 2nd XVIII football, and was a boxer. Pat was the son of Linda Reidy and Patrick Crudden senior and was born in Drouin on February 17 1929. He was a priest and director of Catholic Education for the Melbourne Archiocese, tech teacher, husband of Bev Hennessy, step-father to her children Verna, Julie and Chris, loved and loving grandfather and great-grandfather, for 12 years assistant director of Melbourne’s Council of Adult Education, and after they moved to Shepparton, president of the Goulburn Valley writers’ group, prominent voice in the Shepparton Interfaith Network