Obituary
His Care (and Jokes) Live Forever Gwelup GP Dr Patrick McGonigle’s sudden death has left all who knew him in shock but the happy memories are irrepressible, much like the man himself.
Much-loved Gwelup GP Dr Patrick (Pat) McGonigle, aged 63, collapsed and died on the Hamersley golf course in June with his wife Yvonne by his side. The death of the popular GP, who featured in Medical Forum in March last year, has shocked his family, friends, colleagues and patients. At Patrick’s funeral, his boyhood friend, gastroenterologist Dr Brendan Collins, shared some of his memories of Pat garnered over 52 years, beginning with the first day of high school at St Malachy’s College in Belfast, Northern Island.
boys were accepted into medical school at Queens University in Belfast, with Pat going on to physician’s training and appointments at Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast City Hospital and Craigavon Area Hospital. Pat met his wife Yvonne at university where she was studying physics. They married when Pat still had two years of studies to complete. Northern Ireland was in the grip of the ‘Troubles’ which spurred Pat and Yvonne with baby son Michael to look south and they set off for Perth in 1983. Brendan and his wife Deirdre followed seven years later.
Medicine beckons
“I remember phoning Pat from Belfast when I was offered a job at RPH and asked him what Perth was like. I will never forget his reply. He said, ‘Perth is the best kept secret in the world. From October to April the sky is brilliant blue and you will struggle to see a cloud’. Pat and Yvonne loved their life in Perth and Pat’s comments sealed the deal for us emigrating also.”
Brendan encouraged his friend to try for medicine but Pat was undecided until the last minute when medicine won out and both
Pat was a keen runner competing in marathons and triathlons and he climbed Kilimanjaro at the age of 60.
“My first impressions of Pat were of a ‘wee hard man’, as they say in Belfast. He looked tough but the impish grin was there as a permanent feature. He was wearing a school jumper his granny had knitted for him and was the only boy in the class who didn’t have a blazer.”
From Pat’s Patients
“He was such a warm and caring doctor and who can ever forget his many jokes. Ken and I attended his funeral and felt humbled to have known Patrick as his patients for over 30 years. He was such an inspirational man.” “A truly remarkable doctor who has (left) a lot of wonderful memories in each and every person he met. His endearing ways and impish jokes will never be forgotten.” “What a giant of a man and doctor he has left huge shoes to try and fill.”
18 | AUGUST 2016
I haven't worked a day in general practice without him. I have lost a mentor, a colleague, a friend, a confidante. What will I do without him?" – Dr Alistair Vickery Laughter the best medicine “Pat loved his work and loved working with his colleagues in Gwelup Medical Centre and I feel he would never have fully retired. No matter how ill, his patients always left the surgery with a smile as Pat’s terrible jokes were legendary. Of course his jokes and high spirits were part of the art of medicine that he practised. Alongside this, however, he was exceptionally thorough and an excellent diagnostician,” Brendan said. Pat’s Gwelup colleagues write that Pat started work as a respiratory registrar at SCGH and quickly moved into general practice at Seacrest. He worked as a GP in Sorrento, Kingsley and Gwelup and cared for many nursing home patients across the northern suburbs. His patients loyally followed him to successive practices over 32 years, a testament to his care and knowledge. “Not many of us can equal his diagnostic acumen and knowledge of complex medical care or his ability to provide that care compassionately and completely for so many, many patients. “Pat, you were a great doctor, a wonderful family man, a teacher and mentor to students and registrars, to your colleagues. You were a modest man with that wonderful Irish gift for story-telling and a man of great intellect. We will miss your jokes, your cheeky grin, your generosity and your wisdom. We will miss you.”
MEDICAL FORUM