Vale – Notice Board

In Loving Memory
It is with deep sadness that The Marist Brother’s Rosalie Old Boys’ Association advise of the passing of their friend and outstanding College Old Boy, Neal McClafferty.
Late of John Wesley Garden, formerly Aveo Albany Creek and The Gap.
Dearly loved husband of Patricia, loving father and father-in-law of Kathleen McClafferty, Luke McClafferty and Yuka Miura, Judith and Adam Knight.
Cherished Poppa to Hannah and Jemma Sisson, Addison, Riley and Isabel Knight.
Beloved brother of Mary O’Leary (deceased), Michael McClafferty, Anne Spencer and Brian McClafferty.

Neal’s Early Education and Parish Life
From Sacred Heart Parish to Marist College Rosalie
Family and Parish Connections
Neal’s formative years were deeply rooted in the Sacred Heart Church community, located on Given Terrace. His parents were active parishioners, and this close association naturally led Neal and his siblings to attend the Convent school attached to the church. The Sacred Heart Church was not just a place of worship for the family; it was the nucleus of their social and educational life, shaping Neal’s early experiences and values.
Transition to Marist College Rosalie
After completing his initial schooling at the Convent, Neal moved to Marist College Rosalie in Year 4. This transition marked a significant step in his education. The Marist College building, which faces Given Terrace from the Fernberg Road site, was likely a new and modern facility at the time Neal began attending. It is likely that Neal was among the first cohort of students to be educated in the newly constructed building, experiencing the fresh environment and facilities as the institution established itself in the community. During his time at the school Neal represented Rosalie at Tennis and was drummer in the school cadet unit.
Leadership and Guidance
During Neal’s early years at Marist College Rosalie, it is most probable that Brother Gilbertus served as his first principal. Brother Gilbertus would have played a pivotal role in shaping the ethos and direction of the school during this period, providing guidance and leadership to Neal and his fellow students. His presence would have contributed significantly to the culture and values imparted to those who attended the college in its early years.
Conclusion
Neal’s educational journey, from the Sacred Heart Convent to Marist College Rosalie, reflects the connection between family, faith, and education in his upbringing. The likelihood of being among the first students in the new school building positions Neal’s story as an integral part of the local parish and educational history.

Eulogy
NEAL JOHN MCCLAFFERTY (02/04/1940 – 11/11/2025
Good morning, Father Anthony and all gathered here today to celebrate the life of Neal John McClafferty, also known as Macca to his friends and Poppa to his grandchildren.

Neal was the second child of Tom and Betty McClafferty. His older sister Mary has predeceased him, but following behind him are Michael, Anne and Brian; all of whom are here today. He was nearly three weeks late in arriving, finally arriving on 2 April 1940. At first he was going to be named Michael, his mother’s choice. However his father’s family thought he should be called Neil after his father’s brother. Just before the Baptism ceremony Tom broke the news to Betty that he wanted the baby to be called Neil, so Betty being just a tad annoyed (let’s make that quite a bit annoyed) handed the papers over to Tom saying “You fill them out!!” Tom filled in the name as N E A L instead of N E I L (his uncle’s name).

Neal was a Paddo boy. The family lived in Paddington, just down the road from Sacred Heart Church and Primary School, and Marist Brothers Rosalie. This is where Neal, his sisters and brothers were educated in primary school, then at Marist Rosalie and All Hallows for secondary schooling.

Neal’s grandparents, Patrick and Mary McClafferty, and his aunts and uncles also lived in Paddington. School records from a history of Sacred Heart School compiled by Suzanne Hodge show the McClafferty family had a great association with the parish and the school. Neal’s aunties and uncles attended there, as well as his cousins, Carmel, Marjorie and Patricia. In Sacred Heart Church there is a statue of Christ crucified above the altar bearing a plaque saying it was donated by the McClafferty and O’Connor families, O’Connor being Neal’s paternal grandmother. Neal also served as an altar boy there with the dubious reputation that at one Easter ceremony while assisting the priest, he stepped back into the bucket of Holy Water. And their dog regularly attended Mass at Sacred Heart as he would regularly escape their yard and follow the family to church on Sundays.

Neal McClafferty (2)
Neal’s maternal grandparents lived in Warwick but they had regular school holiday visits from the grandchildren when they were old enough to travel on the rail motor from Brisbane to Toowoomba and the train to Warwick without a parent. And Ted and Mary would also come down to Brisbane to visit the family.
Neal’s father, Tom, had his first heart attack at the age of 43. Unfortunately he continued to have health problems, and Betty and the children were left without a husband and father when Tom passed away at 54. Neal was just 24 years old.
In high school Neal was a hard working student and he was highly involved in sport. He played football and cricket, and sang in the school’s quartet which performed on ABC radio. But he especially excelled at tennis. Along with his good friends Neil Stafford, Ralph Peters, Greg & Dianne Fox and other members, they played competitive tennis for Brisbane Catholic Tennis, representing Queensland in tournaments in Sydney and Melbourne.

After Year 10 Neal moved straight into a job in the Stamps Duties Office at Queensland Treasury. There he worked for 42 years until he took early retirement in 1997. It was that year that Neal was first diagnosed with Prostate Cancer.
As a young single man he had a busy life. Between working and playing tennis and squash, his hobby was fishing. The Stamps Duties Office ran a vibrant fishing club, with the annual trip to Moreton Island being one of the highlights. Neal was an active member for many years and enjoyed the week’s holiday each year to Moreton, fishing for Tailor with members of the club, especially with his good friend, Ray Shaw, who also worked in Queensland Treasury.
He also took on the role of secretary of the Marist Old Boys Assoc. with Barry Maranta as President.

Neal McClafferty (3)
One night in October 1968 Neal, who was secretary and Barry who was President of the Old Boys at the time, were hosting a fund raising dinner dance at a reception venue at 29 Murray Street Windsor, when among the guests Neal spotted a charming young lady named Patricia Bowes, who had recently moved from Mackay to Brisbane for work. Well, Neal was immediately smitten, and on 14 June 1969 they were married in St Paul’s Catholic Church Bardon.

Three children followed – Kathleen, Luke and Judith. They built a house at 20 Madeira Street, The Gap and lived there for 50 years. Neal and Patricia both worked hard for St Peter Chanel and Mater Dei Primary Schools with Neal and his good friend Greg Condon setting out and building the first netball courts for SPC; and he also led a gardening team at the newly opened St Peter Chanel Church where we are today. Patricia played keyboard at Mass, worked on the school’s fund raising committee, and trained a netball team at St Peter Chanel School.

When all three children were at school, the then Labor Prime Minister Gough Whitlam abolished all university fees, so Patricia enrolled at Kelvin Grove QUT to become a secondary teacher majoring in English and Music. She then taught in Brisbane Catholic Education Schools until she retired.

Neal and Patricia then became homestay parents for overseas students studying at Kelvin Grove QUT and they also travelled overseas to Europe, Japan and China as well as travelling extensively in Australia.

However in 2017 they began a brand new interest in their lives. They formed a band, The Verandah Band, with Patricia at the helm, entertaining residents in a number of different Brisbane nursing homes.

Neal McClafferty (4)
They also played for Australia Day functions, St Patrick’s celebrations, Probus and Bowls clubs. The Verandah Band consisted of Patricia on keyboard, Deborah as vocalist, Greg on bass, Kevin B on guitar, Kevin P on Banjo and Ukulele, Phil on Ukulele, John on Ukulele, and John C. as their first Drummer (he has unfortunately passed away) and now Rodney has stepped up as their very capable present drummer. Neal took on the role of MC, introducing the songs, telling the odd joke, even dancing sometimes with the elderly ladies. One old dear referred to him as ‘that cheeky young fellow who says “God Bless” at the end of the concert’. Neal and Patricia would like to thank the band members for all the hard work and practice sessions you have put in to making the band such a success.

In 2020 they decided their home was too big for just the two of them, so they sold up and moved to Aveo Retirement Village Albany Creek, enjoying a much more relaxed life with their five grandchildren – Hannah, Jemma, Addison, Riley and Isabel – and joining in the many activities at the retirement village. Unfortunately, in 2023 Patricia slipped over in their kitchen one night, crushing two vertebrae. She is now confined to a wheelchair.

In late 2024 the cancer which had been kept under control for so long, spread into Neal’s bones. He and Patricia moved to John Wesley Gardens Geebung where Neal was placed in palliative care.

How can you sum up a life of 85 years? 
Neal was a sweet, gentle, totally honest man who stood by his convictions. He loved his wife and family unconditionally. This is how his grandchildren described him – wise, sturdy, a storyteller, handsome, family orientated, devoted, unconditionally loving, insightful, compassionate, selfless, warm, present, and kind. Wow! What a man!

Neal, you’ll be very welcome in heaven. But for all of you here today, the family asks that you just remember him as you knew him. Thank You.

Gratitude for Patricia McClafferty’s Generosity
We extend our sincere thanks to Patricia McClafferty for her heartfelt generosity in sharing Neal’s eulogy with members of The Marist Rosalie Old Boy’s Association.
Reflection of School Spirit and Ethos.  Her act epitomises the true spirit of our school and its enduring ethos, serving as a testament to the values we hold dear within our community.

Funeral Service Details
Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend Neal’s Funeral Service:
•Location: St Peter Chanel Catholic Church, 41 Chaprowe Road, The Gap
•Date: Wednesday, 26th. November 2025
•Time: 11:00 am
Family and friends are warmly invited to attend and celebrate Neal’s life.
R.I.P Neal McClafferty
Neal will be sadly missed by all his family and friends. Your legacy of love and kindness will live on in all who had the privilege of knowing you.