Grahame Thomas Purtell - Class of 1963
It is with heavy heart that the Marist Brothers Rosalie Old Boys, advise of the sad passing of a greatly admired and well-liked Old Boy Grahame Purtell – (originally of Bardon) on Thursday 8 August 2024.
Grahame had suffered from the effects of skin cancer. Grahame is survived by his loving wife Pam and their children and grandchildren, and younger brother Brian.
Grahame graduated from Marist Brothers College – Rosalie in the Senior Class of 1963.
He was a fine sportsman who represented the College in the first XV in 1963, playing in the position of Hooker.
Grahame was also a fine Rugby League player with Wests Club. His father Tom Purtell was a long time President of Wests Rugby League Club and the redeveloped Club grounds at Lorward Avenue, Barden, Purtell Park, were named in honour of Tom Purtell.
After graduating from “Rosalie” Grahame joined the Health Department of the Queensland Government. He enjoyed a meteoric rise through the ranks of the Public Service and his intelligence, calm approach and communication skills saw Grahame widely respected and praised from many sectors of Queensland society.
Among Grahame’s greatest friends throughout life were fellow “Old Boys Bardon residents Vic Boudette and Bill Harvey who gave him the nickname of “puddle”.
A life well lived!
Dr. John Gerard Flynn
Late of Algester.
Former MLA Toowoomba North.
Passed away, 27th February 2024. Aged 70 years.
It is with deep sadness The Marist Brother’s Rosalie Old Boys’ Association advise of the passing of fellow Old Boy and friend, John Flynn, late of Algester who passed into eternal life on 27th. February 2024.
John, beloved husband of Kelyn. Adored father and father- in-law to Tom & Hamimah, Julia and Daniel. Poppy to Imran. Loved Brother, brother-in-law and uncle to Pat (d); Michael (d) & Winnie, Darren, Graeme & Jennifer, and families. Brother-in-law and uncle to Marie, Mia, and family.
Early Life
John was born in Brisbane, the son of John Joseph Flynn, a postman, and Kathleen Josephine, née De Hayr. He attended convent school at Rosalie and then Marist Brothers College Rosalie finishing at the College in 1970, before studying at the University of Queensland from 1971 to 1982, receiving a Bachelor of Science (Honours, 1975) and a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (Honours). He married Kelyn Ann Blanch, a teacher, on 5 January 1975. From 1976 to 1977 he was a biochemistry tutor at the university, and from 1978 to 1982 a part-time analytical biochemist at Royal Brisbane Hospital. In 1983 he was appointed medical officer at the Royal Brisbane and Royal Children’s Hospitals, before becoming a private general practitioner in Toowoomba in 1985.
Service Details
Family and friends of John are invited to attend Funeral Mass at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 359 Given Terrace, Paddington, on Thursday, 14th March 2024, at 10:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Royal Flying Doctors Service are appreciated.
R.I.P.
JOHN FLYNN