Obituaries

Your prayers are requested for the souls of departed Old Virgilians and friends of the College. 

COLRAIN, Marlene Mary   

23.07.1936 – 14.05.2023

Passed away peacefully at a private nursing home surrounded by her loving family. Much loved and loving wife of Michael (SVC 1949-50) for 62 years. Beloved mother and mother-in-law of Ian (SVC 1974-79)  & Carol and Andrew (SVC 1975-82) & Heidi. Adored grandmother of Lyndall, Sean (SVC 2010-13), Jillian and Joseph (SVC 2013-16). Loved and respected by all.

GILLAM, Rex Henry (SVC 1946-53)

27.05.1936 

Dearly beloved husband of Gillian (Jill) of 63 years. Much loved father and father-in-law of Rodney and Cathie, Andrew, Lee and Julie, Michelle and Todd. Loved Grandfather of Alex and Clare, Claire, Roán, Sarah, Campbell (SVC 2017-20) and Hannah.

2020 photo of Rex with grandson Campbell Baker.

KANTVILAS, Nina

24.02.1921 – 20.04.2023

Died peacefully, aged 102, after a long and fulfilling life.  Born in Lithuania. Loving wife of Aleksandras (dec). Mother and mother-in-law of Jurate and Patrick, Dalia and Tony, and Gintaras (SVC 1965-73) and Brigitte. Much-loved Bute of Celia, Kathleen, Dominic, Jennifer, Ollie and Simeon (dec), and their partners and children.

MACGREGOR, James Albert (Bert) cfc (SVC staff 1973-79)

02.11.1941 – 12.04.2023

Passed away in Burnie. Formerly Deputy Principal of the Austins Ferry campus. An amazing character who gave so much of himself to St Virgil’s and elsewhere. Hope to include an article on Bert in the next edition. A funeral service will be held at the Treacy Centre, 126 The Avenue, Parkville, (Melbourne) this Wednesday 24 May at 11.00 am after which his ashes will be interned in the Christian Brothers cemetery at Bundoora.

Bert ran the swimming program during his time at St Virgil’s and the accompanying pic. (taken from 1979 Yearbook) shows the proud coach and captain (James Henderson) with the State SATIS victory shield.

MACKEY, Benedict Ambrose 

9.01.1984 – 19.04.2023

Beloved son of Edmund (SVC 1971-78) and Storm. Cherished brother of Portia, Thomas, Joseph, Cecilia, Ignatius, Beatrice, Myra, Esther, Augustine (SVC 2016) and Raphael (SVC 2016-19). Devoted father of Oliver William Mackey.

MORRISBY, Peter Linden

It is with great sadness we wish to announce that Peter Linden Morrisby passed away after a short illness at the Royal Hobart Hospital on 7 May 2023. Loving partner to Ruby. Father to Aaron (SVC 1990-94) and Kristian (SVC 1993-95). Stepfather to Caroline and Katrina and proud grandfather to Max and Hudson. Never forgotten.

O’KEEFE, Graham John (SVC 1956-62)

24.10.1945 – 15.04.2023 

Passed away peacefully. Much loved and loving eldest son of Peter and Gwen (both dec), dear brother and brother-in-law of Paul (dec. SVC 1956-65) and Ann-Maree, Susan and Wally Talbot, Margaret and Garry Carr, Cathy, Michael and Dianne, loved uncle of all his nieces and nephews. Passed away peacefully surrounded by love and his family. Dearly loved father and father-in-law of Leesa, Glen and Shelley, Michael and Heather, Peter and Montanna. Proud Grandad to  eleven grandchildren.

Graham’s passing was acknowledged in an article in the Hobart Mercury (21 April 2023)  In part it read:

Tributes are flowing in for former “legendary”, “enriching” and “much-valued” Dominic College 

teacher who tragically died at the weekend. Graham O’Keefe, 77, passed away peacefully with his family by his side after a brief period of palliative care. Mr O’Keefe was a teacher at Glenorchy’s Dominic College  for more than 30 years.

Graham was on the Barrack Street Primary staff in 1967 prior to moving to Dominic.

OLDFIELD, Joan Muriel

26.06.1930 – 5.05.2023

Loved wife of Peter Oldfield (dec). Loving mother of Anthony (SVC 1968-77), Gerard, Timothy (SVC 1978-83), Justina and James (SVC 1981-87). Adored grandmother and great-grandmother. Forever loved.

PIGNALOSA, Maria

Passed away peacefully in Melbourne on 14 May 2023. Much loved wife of Antonio (dec). Loving mother and mother-in-law of Salvatore (SVC 1971-76) and Annette (dec), Angelo and Amanda, Guiseppe and Kay, Giovanna and Tony, Palma and Chris.

RESPONDEK, Stella Maria ‘Maria’ (nee Stafford)

17.07.1938 – 14.05.2023

Passed away peacefully at the Royal Hobart Hospital. Loving daughter of Harold and Stella Stafford (both dec). Dearly loved mother and mother-in-law of Tim (SVC 1974-77) and Christine, much loved Nana of Louise and Matthew.

SKARO, Tony

16.05.1941 – 06.04.2023

In Melbourne. Tony is father of John Skaro (SVC 1979-81). Tony was a well-known local soccer identity. He arrived in Australia from Croatia in the late ‘50s. After a couple of seasons in Melbourne, Tony moved to Hobart in 1964. He was involved with the Croatia, Rapid, White Eagles and South Hobart clubs as a player and coach. 

The family moved back to Melbourne in the early 1980s and John continued his education at CBC St  Kilda. Whilst there John formed a friendship with the much-loved late Fr Bob Maguire  who was the school chaplain at the time. Fr Bob was later to be the celebrant at John’s wedding. The picture below shows the Tony Skaro in conversation with Fr Bob at John’s wedding in 2007 – the pair were to die within a fortnight of each other.

STARY, Mary Elizabeth

13.05.1925 – 8.05.2023

Passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family. Loved and loving wife of Frank (dec). Much loved mother of David (SVC 1958-67), Phillip (SVC 1962-70), Carole and Janet (current member of SVC Junior School staff). Beloved grandmother and great-grandmother of all her grandchildren. Our sincere thanks to the staff of Sandown Apartments for their loving care of Mary.

SMITH, Scott William (SVC 1977-79)

13.12.1964 – 13.05.2023

Suddenly passed away. Beloved son of Rodney and Judy, much loved brother and brother-in-law of Rod (SVC 1976-81) and Kim, Ken (SVC 1978-81) and Louise, Lynette, loved uncle of Jordan and Kyran. Dearly loved father of James and Stacey. Dearly loved grandfather of Grace, Ethan, Peyton and Evie

TASKUNAS, Algimantas Patricijus (Al), OAM

Passed away suddenly but peacefully after a short illness on 17.04.2023 at RHH. Beloved husband of Trish, dearly loved father and father-in-law of Millie and Chris, Anne, Vince (SVC 1980-85) and Anne-Marie, Simon (SVC 1980-85) and Stephanie, and deeply loved grandfather of Karen, Megan, Patrick (SVC 2004-07), Georgina, Lucy, Imogen, Andrew, James and Hannah (and their partners), and great-grandfather of Ivy, Dulcie, Evan, Franklin and Delilah. Beloved son of Stasys and Emilija Taskunas (both dec.), loving brother and brother-in-law of Laima, Vincas (dec.) and Lile. One of nature’s gentlemen. A life well lived.