Robert John Massingham, former Gympie high school principal, farewelled in Brisbane funeral

Tributes are flowing for a beloved former high school principal, who died following a lengthy health battle spanning more than two decades.

Former Gympie High principal Robert ‘John’ Massingham has been farewelled in a heartfelt service in Brisbane on Friday afternoon.

Mr Massingham passed away surrounded by his loved ones on June 24, 2022, after a lengthy battle with health issues. He was 72.

Hundreds of mourners attended Mr Massingham’s funeral at Little Flower Catholic Church at Kedron, in Brisbane’s north.

The service was live streamed for those who could not attend.

Mr Massingham was described by the priest as “a good man” who “touched so many people”.

Hundreds of mourners turned out for Mr Massingham’s funeral in Brisbane on Friday.

A heartfelt eulogy was delivered by his son, Sean Massingham, on behalf of the family.

He said his late father was “pure of heart” and “fought to the end” after battling various health issues since 1999.

But despite the adversities Mr Massingham endured over the decades, one thing remained the same.

“In the challenges that were to come, his unshakeable rock was his love for mum, and her love for him,” Mr (Sean) Massingham said.

Mr Massingham’s son, Sean, gave a heartfelt eulogy and described his late father as “pure of heart”.

“He regularly told me how lucky he was, even at the end.”

With a trembling voice and tears in his eyes, he said his father was finally at peace.

“Dad has gone home to his parents and his (stillborn) son now,” he said.

“Rest in peace, dad. You will be missed.”

Mr Massingham was born and raised in Maryborough, where he lived until he finished school at Maryborough State High and received a scholarship to study at the University of Queensland.

The late John Massingham (left) and his wife, Joy, who met in Yeppoon where they were both teaching in the 1970s.

He then took a job as a teacher shortly after graduating, where he later met his wife, Joy, while she was working as a teacher in Yeppoon.

Mr and Mrs Massingham would spend the rest of their lives together, bringing three children into the world, though their youngest son, Liam, was sadly born sleeping.

Mr Massingham eventually became a school principal, most notably at Gympie High and later Craigslea State High in Brisbane.

He took an early retirement in 2003 after his health began to deteriorate.

Mr Massingham was laid to rest at the Nudgee Cemetery and Crematorium in north Brisbane.