Warren McGenniss (SPC 1948-57, PY1958)

Warren McGenniss, proudly pictured in the record-breaking Under 13 relay team in 1952.

The College extends its deepest condolences to the family of Old Collegian Warren McGenniss (SPC 1948-57, PY1958) who passed away peacefully on his 58^th wedding anniversary on July 7, 2020 aged 79 years.

He was a much-loved husband to wife Valerie, a devoted father to his three children Sandra, Stephen and David and a very proud grandfather to his five grandchildren.

“We all miss him dearly as he was a central figure in all our lives,” says his wife Val. A private funeral was held on July 15 due to the coronavirus restrictions and Warren’s family hope to hold a larger memorial at a later date.
Warren was a full-time boarder at SPC, starting in 1948 in Grade 2 and he completed his Leaving Certificate in 1957. He came from the Melbourne suburb of Black Rock, where his family had a hotel, and attended SPC with his brothers Barry (SPC 1945-52, PY1953) and Irwin (SPC 1948-55, PY1957).

Warren McGenniss arrived at SPC in grade two. This is Warren pictured in his grade three class photograph in 1949.

Warren was an active student, both academically and in sport. He came third overall in his first year of school at SPC and was awarded a scholastic prize. He finished second overall in grade 3, and was awarded a scholastic prize and came first in the ½ mile handicap in the Athletics. He received scholastic prizes for his academic performances in Grade 4 and 5 and was a member of the record breaking U13 relay team in Athletics in Grade 6 in 1952. He continued to perform well and was awarded a scholastic prize in his Sub Intermediate year after finishing equal fifth in class. Warren was also a member of the Nunan House cricket team, which won the premiership in 1955 and he was a member of the U15 XVIII football team. He continued to play cricket in his senior years and was noted in the 1957 College Annual as one of the best batsmen in the College’s 2^nd XI cricket team.

After leaving SPC, Warren worked at the Wool Exchange Hotel in Melbourne until his father obtained the lease at Chadstone shopping centre in 1960. Warren and Val were married in 1962 and moved to East Bentleigh. He managed the shop at Chadstone until 1983 and then went into office administration. He was very active in East Bentleigh as a coach of St Peters Football Team where he coached his two sons. Since his passing, Warren’s family have received many tributes from the boys he had coached to say he and his brother Irwin had had a wonderful positive influence on their lives.

He also played cricket with his boys and they all have fond memories of his dedication and sincerity to them as young sportsmen. Warren attributed his coaching skills to the great Br Bill O’Malley. Warren took up lawn bowls after retiring from cricket and was a member of Coatesville Bowling Club for 40 years. He always loved movies and in his retirement made DVDs for friends and family.

Warren continued to be a strong supporter of SPC and looked forward to receiving The Shamrock magazine and keeping updated on news from SPC. When Warren heard of the introduction of the College’s OCA Pastoral Care Program, he contacted the College and began giving of his time and talents in a quiet and unassuming way on a regular basis over the space of three years. We especially thank Warren and his wonderful wife Val for their generous and lasting contribution to our Old Collegians and their valued support of St Patrick’s College.

Warren McGenniss, pictured in his Intermediate class photo in 1956.