Robert John Maguire was a South Melbourne-born Australian Roman Catholic priest, community activist, and media figure who lived from 14 September 1934 until 19 April 2023.
Maguire served as the parish priest of Sts. Peter and Paul’s Church in South Melbourne from 1973 until 2012. Maguire, also known as “Father Bob,” received the Order of Australia’s highest honor in 1989 “for service to homeless youth through the Open Family Foundation.”
Maguire began his preparation for the priesthood in 1953 at the age of 18 and studied theology at Corpus Christi College in Melbourne.
He worked as a beekeeper at this time, which he regarded as “one of the finest periods of my life.”
When did Father Bob become a priest?
At the age of 25, Maguire received his ordination as a priest in 1960.
How long was Father Bob a priest?
Maguire served as the parish priest of Sts. Peter and Paul’s Church in South Melbourne from 1973 until 2012.