Beloved Father Bob Maguire passes away aged 88

19 April 2023

19 Apr 2023

An older man sits on an armchair and smiles. He is holding a cane — Father Bob Maguire

Father Bob Maguire, affectionately known as ‘The Larrikin Priest, patron of the unloved and unlovely’, has sadly passed away aged 88.

Father Bob passed away suddenly at Cabrini Hospital this morning. He was in the hands of highly skilled staff and specialists but unfortunately, he was unable to be saved.

The Catholic priest’s revolutionary approach to social justice, paired with a cheeky sense of humour, made him a popular media personality across Australia.

Since January 2023, Father Bob has resided at VMCH’s Justin Villa in Balwyn, an aged care residence providing care to retired priests.

CEO Sonya Smart says Father Bob was a lively character who settled well into life at Justin Villa.

“Moving into aged care can be overwhelming for any older Australian, but Father Bob soon found comfort at Justin Villa, well-supported by exceptional care staff and surrounded by like-minded fellows,” Sonya says.

This is a devastating loss for Father Bob’s family, and his many thousands of friends and supporters. I extend my deepest condolences to them all.”

An older man holds his hands together and looks upward — Image by Jake Nowakowski

Father Bob’s family confirmed his passing this morning.

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

He 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 established the Father Bob Foundation in 2003, a Melbourne-based charity that provides food relief, social inclusion, educational support and associated services to those most vulnerable.

In 2020, he appeared on ABC’s Anh’s Brush With Fame, where he was asked if he thought he’d lived a good life.

“You’ve got to make the best of what you’ve got, comrade,” Father Bob said.

You’ve got ingredients. There’s the bloody bowl, put the ingredients in the bowl. You can’t go next door for a bowl of sugar from Mrs. Bloggs. So you’ll have to make a cake without sugar. But it’ll be edible, and that’s the best that you can do.”

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We here at VMCH respectfully acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands on which we gather, and we would like to take a moment to honour the fact that we live on the lands of the oldest civilisation in the world. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and wisdom of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging.