Vale Bill McVeigh
The Footy Almanac community is deeply saddened to hear of the death of our good friend, supporter, and lunch companion Bill McVeigh.
I’m not sure how we were introduced to Bill, but suddenly he was around, along with friends Gary Hutchins and Noel Freeman and the crew. Always warm and friendly. Always excellent company. Bill had many stories to tell. He had a colourful professional career which included breaking into the Eastern European bull semen market (before the Iron Curtain was lifted) a story told hilariously late one afternoon. I think he may have been working for Elders then where he came into contact with a cavalier character or two.
Being someone who enjoyed people, Bill really understood what the Almanac was all about, and he was determined to play his part and to help. For years he represented the Cuthbertson family’s Murrindindi Wines – rock solid high country wines (which appeared on MCC wine lists, for those behind glass). He organised a sponsorship for the Almanac which lasted for some years. He was also very encouraging.
Bill was a massive Hawks fan – and so enjoyed many happy days at the footy.
It came as a shock to hear of his illness and his death on Boxing Day.
We extend our deepest sympathies to his wife Marina, his children and grandchildren, and his extended family – and to his many friends.
**
This notice appeared in The Age:
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/tributes/notice/death-notices/mcveigh-william-john/5864735/
About John Harms
JTH is a writer, publisher, speaker, historian. He is founder and contributing editor of The Footy Almanac and footyalmanac.com.au. He has written columns and features for numerous publications. His books include Confessions of a Thirteenth Man, Memoirs of a Mug Punter, Loose Men Everywhere, Play On, The Pearl: Steve Renouf's Story and Life As I Know It (with Michelle Payne). He can be contacted [email protected] He is married to Susan. They have three school-age kids - Theo, Anna, Evie. He might not be the worst putter in the world but he's in the worst four. His ambition was to lunch for Australia but it clashed with his other ambition - to shoot his age.
Thank you John for this fine tribute, suitably appropriate for a good bloke, someone Denis Pagan would classify as a quality person. The funeral notice is in today’s Age (and I expect the Herald-Sun). It’s at 2 p.m. Thursday 6th at Hawthorn Town Hall. There is likely to be a livestream (details not yet notified). I expect to have the link later today, and Alamanackers who wish to be alerted can contact me. In deference to the family, I don’t think it’s appropriate to post it in the thread, as the Age notice requests those wanting to access the livestream to contact the family.
Sad news JTH