Toowoomba philanthropist, businessman Clive Armitage farewelled in touching funeral service at St Luke’s Anglican Church

Toowoomba philanthropist and businessman Clive Armitage has been farewelled in a large service at St Luke’s Anglican Church, as the true extent of his generosity to charities and other causes has been revealed.

Clive Armitage's funeral service at St Luke's Anglican Church, Toowoomba.

One of Toowoomba’s most celebrated businessmen and philanthropists has been laid to rest.

Ex-McDonald’s franchisee Clive Armitage was farewelled at a special service at St Luke’s Anglican Church on Thursday, with more than 100 family, friends and admirers paying tribute.

Attendees included dignitaries like mayor Geoff McDonald, councillors Melissa Taylor and Carol Taylor and Groom MP Garth Hamilton, and Toowoomba identities like Mike Horan, Ian Macfarlane and Mary Wagner.

Throughout his career in Toowoomba dating back to the late 1970s, the 83-year-old and his wife Conchita not only provided employment for thousands of young people but also gave hundreds of thousands to charitable and community causes.

In an emotional eulogy, his son Howard spoke about Mr Armitage’s ambition, genuine personality and commitment to his principles.

Clive Armitage's funeral service at St Luke's Anglican Church, Toowoomba. Clive's son Howard Armitage gives the eulogy for his father.

“He was genuine, he wore his heart on his sleeve, he was what it said on the tin so to speak,” he told the service.

“He was both a ‘dreamer’ and a realist — he always dreamt big of where he wanted to be and what he wanted to do, and he was realistic enough to know there was a lot of hard work to be done to get there.

“Invariably and inviolably with Dad, what you see is what you get.

“If he was your friend it was pure friendship and fun, if it was your boss, it was rules, training, unwavering attention to standards and a ‘follow me’ approach and ‘I’ll teach you how to be successful’.”

Clive Armitage's funeral service at St Luke's Anglican Church, Toowoomba.

Mr Armitage said his father’s chief commitment to his family, which included Conchita, Howard and daughter Heidi.

“(With) family, it was ‘life lessons’ always cushioned with an unwavering knowledge that you would always be safe and loved,” he said.

“Always quick with a snappy memorable catchphrase, some of my favourites were ‘if you watch the pennies, the pounds will look after themselves’ and “the time value of money is your friend’.

“Dad — you taught me to walk, you taught me to run, you taught me how to love, how to be a good father and husband; when I fell you caught me and taught me to get back up again.

“To the very end you were the most powerful man in my life — I will miss you dearly, we all will.”

Clive Armitage's funeral service at St Luke's Anglican Church, Toowoomba.

Mr Armitage’s son-in-law and co-successor to his McDonald’s empire Mark Ward described him as not just a successful businessman but a shrewd property investor and developer.

“His understanding of what constituted sound investment opportunities led to many successes over the years, in real estate, housing and industrial developments, shopping centres and even his retirement village (Kingfisher Gardens) which was so ahead of its time,” he said.

Best known for his support of the Empire Theatre by helping to establish the Armitage Centre, Clive and Conchita Armitage were prolific givers to a variety of causes.

These included the donation of a house to the University of Southern Queensland for accommodation and tens of thousands of dollars through causes with Rotary and the Order of Saint John.

Clive Armitage's funeral service at St Luke's Anglican Church, Toowoomba. Mr Armitage's wife Conchita.

The couple also support Concannon College, Toowoomba Grammar, Glennie, Toowoomba Anglican School, the Cobb and Co Museum, the Toowoomba Hospice, the Royal Agricultural Society of Queensland and It’s A Bloke’s Thing.

He was a prominent supporter of the Queensland Ballet and reportedly close with former artistic director Li Cunxin.

A ten-pound Pom who arrived in Australia in the mid-1960s, Mr Armitage was remembered by friends and family as a gentleman, with close associate Greg Johnson often calling him “Sir Clive”.

Official opening of the new building, The Armitage Centre, at the Empire Theatre. September 8, 2014. Conchita and Clive Armitage. Photo: Bev Lacey / The Chronicle