Vale: Michael Clancy 

Christian Brother Michael Clancy came to St Virgil’s in 1952 and was to remain in Hobart until the end of 1966. Initially he was part of the St Virgil’s staff, but in 1955 he was appointed Headmaster of St Peter’s School.  At St Peter's he effected many changes (including employing the first female teachers) and was responsible for a lot of the rebuild of the ageing establishment.  At one point in his tenure his school choir performed with the Australian Opera Company.   Whilst in Hobart he gained an arts degree from the University of Tasmania – majoring in Geology and Geography.

Michael was born in 1928 and was raised in the Melbourne suburb of Caufield – he was the eldest of six boys and one girl. At the age of 13 he travelled to the Christian Brothers Juniorate (Strathfield NSW) and so began 28 year membership of the Brothers. 

After short period of teaching at Young and Paddington, he commenced his Hobart period. On his way to Hobart, he was able to visit his family for the first time in twenty five years.

Towards the end of 1966, Michael applied for a dispensation of his vows. His wait for this extended till the December of the following year. That year was spent the Brothers’ school at South Melbourne.

On December 5, at almost forty years of age, a new life began for Michael. His parting gift from the Brothers after so many years’ service was $200.  He spent the next few years working in the Victorian State Education System, saving enough money to head to Europe much of which he saw with the aid of a trusty motorbike.

Returning to Victoria, Michael purchased a small block of land in the Dandenong Ranges and built a house. In 1979 Michael married Leonie Tuddenham – a former Sister of Mercy and the cousin of Andrew who was on the SVC staff in the late 1960’s.  The couple had a baby daughter, Annelise, but tragically she died the day following her birth.  

Michael and Leonie began to consider overseas adoption and in 1984, they travelled to strife ridden Chile in South America and adopted two young girls, Valeska (9) and Angelica (7).

Michael continued in the teaching profession until he was seventy. He and Leonie moved from Lilydale (where Michael had taught for many years) to retirement in Ballarat. 

Michael loved the outdoors and was for a period a volunteer guide at Healesville Sanctuary.  He had a great love of the theatre and music and a deep and ongoing commitment to parish life.

Due to sickness Michael spent the last three years of his life at Nazareth House in Ballarat and passed away on July 2 2021.  He is survived by Leonie, two daughters and six grandchildren

RIP Michael Clancy.