"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." - 2 Timothy 4:7
Vincent Joseph McGillicuddy was born in the Sydney on 21 December 1930. He was the second youngest in the family of eight. He was educated first the convent school in Kogarah run by Sisters of St Joseph and later at the Marist Brothers College in Kogarah. He studied chartered accountancy and became a chartered accountant. He joined the Oblates at Sorrento on 26 February 1955. He professed his First Vows on 7 March 1956. His classmate, the late Fr Bernard O’Brien OMI shared this memory: “His talents and abilities were immediately spotted by the Novice Master who appointed him Prefect of the Novices. From the beginning he showed himself to be a man of prayer, self-discipline and single-mindedness – and expected the same from his youthful charges who had arrived straight from school! He was sports-minded, witty, and with a good knowledge on any number of subjects. Later in the Novitiate year, his wonderful people qualities became more evident when he was visited by his family. I’ll never forget the beautiful care and love he showed for his mother as he took her by the arm and talked her through everything.”
He was then sent to study at Cedara, South Africa until 1959 when he joined the International Scholasticate at Rome. He was ordained a priest in Roviano, outside Rome, on 12 July 1962, followed by more study in Rome. His first obedience was to Eagle Junction, Qld in September 1963 followed by 4 years teaching at Iona College. Then teaching at Mazenod VIC for 3 years, followed by another 16 years at Iona. He taught maths, accountancy and RE, and was a keen sports coach, especially of cricket.
He assisted at Sefton (NSW) in 1988, then moved to Victoria, where for about 18 years he was provincial bursar while also working in the parishes of Springvale North, North Melbourne, Moe and Sunshine. In 2004 he served as a formator at St Mary’s Scholasticate in Mulgrave, then for three years assisted at Springvale North, before returning to the St Mary’s Scholasticate formation staff. From 2010 he served as assistant priest at Springvale North, Eagle Vale, Sefton and Moe, remaining in that ministry until August 2026, when poor health led him to move to the Oblate Provincial House in Camberwell.
He was a faithful chaplain to the Cursillo Movement and was excellent with the elderly. He was quiet, with a good sense of humour, and an avid sportsperson. Very discreet, he was nonetheless gregarious in familiar surroundings. He was also distinguished for his versatility and “can do” attitude.
He passed away peacefully at Epworth Hospital in Richmond on 2 November 2026.
The Vigil Liturgy will be held at St John Vianney’s Church, Springvale North, on Thursday, 12 November 2026 at 7pm.
The Requiem Mass for the Repose of the Soul of Fr Vincent will be celebrated at St Kieran’s Church, Moe, on Friday, 13 November 2026 at 11am.
May he rest in peace.