obituaries Donald Charles Allen (1956) passed 29th December 2020 Eric Birghitti (2015) passed 2nd January 2020 Terry Capellaro (1975) passed 26th January 2020 Tomislav Cop (1984) passed 8 October 2020 Anthony Donohoe (1963) passed 20th March 2020 Bill Gibson (1939) passed 29th May 2020 on his 99th birthday James Kennedy (1985) passed 17th April 2020 Russell O’Brien (1968) passed July 31st 2020 Declan McKeown (2015) passed 2nd June 2020
Dan Clune (’57) passed 10th June 2020 Dan Clune, who was a prominent senior student at the college in the mid1950s, died on June 10, 2020, aged 80, after a long battle with cancer. Dan hailed from Three Springs and matriculated in his final year in 1957. He was a leader in a wide range of college activities. In addition to being a Prefect, he was treasurer of the Holy Name Society and a Prefect in Our Lady's Sodality. His involvement in these activities was not a surprise. His great, great uncle was Patrick Clune, the first Archbishop of Perth (1911-35). Dan was also a stern Sergeant Major in Brother Boyd Egan's Cadet Unit and had an impressive sporting record. In 1956-57 he rowed in the First VIII and played in the First XVIII, which won the Alcock Cup in both years. Eddie Rigg, who was a teammate in the 1956 side, recalled that Dan and Tom Hoad shared duties in the ruck and alternated in the back pocket. "Neither went round corners," Eddie said. After leaving school, Dan returned to 42 / the fish
Three Springs but his adventurous spirit was prominent. He became a trailblazer in agriculture, being awarded one of the first lots developed for irrigation in the pioneering Ord River Scheme in the mid-1960s. Classmate Tony Morrissey was granted an adjoining property. Dan was elected president of the Growers' Association. Cotton was the major crop. But it was susceptible to attacks from pests which were difficult to control. Many cottongrowing ventures, including Dan's, did not go well. But he was successful in a second stint at the Ord in the 1980s, growing melons and getting them trucked to the big markets on the east coast. In the mid-'80s Dan returned to Perth where he was employed by an American company and later moved to its Sydney office. He was the top sales and marketing performer two years in a row and was rewarded with overseas holidays, first a world trip including London and Hong Kong, and the second to Mexico. Dan also worked overseas. He became involved in developing radiofrequency technology for a German company concerning livestock. He then moved to St Petersburg after an approach from the Australian Government to assist Russian farmers in preserving their cattle for the food chain. Back in Sydney in 2009, he was a member of a committee which introduced compulsory microchipping for the recovery of "companion" animals. His entrepreneurial spirit persisted and he had major success with another innovation - working with the RSPCA. Through a link with the Queensland branch, he supplied microchips and developed a database for pets. This led to the development of his successful family company, HomeSafeID, for the national registration of animals, which is still operating. Dan married Lorraine (nee Kidd) and they had five children. They now have 10 grandchildren and three greatgrandchildren. A well attended funeral service was held for Dan in the college chapel.
Tony Golding (’44) passed 6th January 2021 Tony was a good student and a talented sportsperson, gaining honours in both Rowing and Football. On leaving College, Tony obtained qualifications as an industrial chemist and was employed in the Oil industry for 18 years, being involved in quality control, research and as a technical advisor. He then worked in the paint industry for the subsequent 11 years, specialising in corrosion control systems, later establishing his own business dealing in special surface coatings used in the building industry. Tony retained friendship with many of the students of his time and always appreciated the legacy of his school days at Aquinas. His sons Ian & Graham, as well as grandsons Tom & Chad Golding, and Nick Chetkovich also attended Aquinas. Tony died at the age of 93 having lived a full and rewarding life.
John Kennedy Peterson (’51) passed on 27th December 2020 John was born in Broome in 1934 and was very happily married to Robyn for 67 years. They had 5 children, 7 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren and live in Scarborough for 41 years. John worked in various professions, including teaching, publican, insurance and motor vehicle industry. John’s time at Aquinas is fondly reminiscent including
