Melbourne priest Father Bob Maguire to be farewell with state funeral

Much-loved Melbourne priest Father Bob Maguire will be farewelled with a state funeral following his tragic passing last week.

Father Bob Maguire died at the age of 88. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Beloved Melbourne priest Father Bob Maguire will be farewelled with a state funeral following his tragic passing last week.

Premier Daniel Andrews on Tuesday afternoon confirmed the family of Father Bob, known for his generous advocacy, had accepted the offer.

“Victorians will be invited to celebrate the life of Father Bob Maguire at a State Funeral, honouring the people’s priest’s generosity, kindness, humour and service to the state,” Mr Andrews said.

Arrangements for the state funeral will be made with his family and foundation, with an announcement on further details to be made in due course.

In a statement, Father Bob’s family said he died in Cabrini hospital on Wednesday morning.

It’s understood he was living at an aged care facility in Balwyn and was placed into hospital for a blood transfusion after ongoing health issues.

“Father Bob was a dear and much loved member of our family and will be sorely missed for his energy and good humour,” they said.

Father Bob Maguire died in Cabrini hospital on Wednesday morning. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

“His physical and mental health had been deteriorating for some time but his preference was always to help others rather than consider his own situation.

“Father Bob was not just a much loved family member but was loved by all Australians for what he stood for. He has fought bravely for the underprivileged and homeless all his life.

“He represented the highest of principles, and he fought to actively live those principles.”

Father Bob told the Herald Sun two days before his death that he was “all right” in respite.

“I’m all right, I’m all right. I’m as fit as a trout,” he said.

The Father Bob Foundation’s board said they were “greatly saddened” by his death.

Father Bob Maguire at his charity offices in Albert Park. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

“The last few months have been difficult for his family and close associates,” they said.

“It has been a sensitive and difficult period because it related to Father Bob’s personal and private health conditions.

“We know that he would want his work to continue, and the foundation had already made the necessary decisions to enable that to happen.

“Our commitment has always been to follow Father Bob’s commitment to the “outsiders” as he called them.

“He was inspirational over many decades. As well as the work he did personally over all those years he encouraged and supported many other individuals and organisations to take up similar roles.

“His focus on those most disadvantaged and alienated in our society will be continued by the foundation. He was and will continue to be our inspiration.”

Father Bob’s family said his health declined in recent months.

“Despite his high profile in the media, he was always on the job, especially for the disadvantaged families and individuals for whom he had great love and compassion,” they said.

“He wanted nobody to be left behind and always saw and believed in the good in people, but he knew that there were many whom he referred to as the unloved and unlovely. These were his real passion.

“The last few months have been very difficult for both the family and for those around Father Bob as we managed his declining health.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he was a great Australian.

“An irrepressibly cheerful champion for all those battling disadvantage, he dedicated his life to brightening the lives of those most in need,” he tweeted.

“A man of warmth and faith who faced struggles with a cheeky grin.”

Father Bob: A life in photos

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Father Bob was born in Thornbury in 1934 and was ordained as a priest in 1960 at the age of 25.

He joined the parish of Sts Peter and Paul’s Catholic Church in South Melbourne in 1973 and established the Father Bob Maguire Foundation in 2003.

The priest was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 1989 and was named Victorian of the Year in 2011.

Catholic Archbishop Peter Comensoli remembered Father Bob as a “fierce friend of the downhearted, the broken and the lost throughout his whole life.”

“Without a doubt, he was the “larrikin priest”, who had a great love for Jesus – who also lived with the outcast and the unloved,” he said.

“Recent months have been a struggle for Bob in both health and relationships. We pray that he is now at peace with his Saviour and Lord.

“In faith, we now entrust Bob to eternal life. May he be welcomed to the heavenly feast.”

Father Bob in 1993. The beloved priest was seen as a “grandfather figure” to those that knew him.

His advocate, Sally Millard, said Father Bob was a “grandfather figure” to her.

“He came to us larger than life,” she said.

“He’s forever in our heart and soul. He believed death brought loved ones in even closer.

“He’ll forever live within as I strive to fill his shoes and practice what he preached, to be a voice for the voiceless and create a Cobberwealth.

“We love and will miss him and cherish our time we had with him.”

Ashley Geelan said he first met Father Bob in 2018.

“He was a loving, warm man who reminded me of my own grandparents,” he said.

“When others wouldn’t give me a chance, Father Bob did.

“Watching all the people Father Bob has helped, the homeless, those without tucker …

“If there was ever bloke that epitomises the words ‘true blue Aussie cobber’ it would be Father Robert ‘Bob’ Maguire.”

His death comes after the social justice campaigner said he was blindsided when he was stood down as chairman of his charity.