Interstate Move: Family Was Calling
For Phil MacQuire, who at the time was a chaplain for the North Queensland Cowboys Rugby League team, it was an easy decision to move back to Narellan, New South Wales, from Townsville, Queensland. Family was calling.
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10 March 2022
Stories
| Retirement Living
For Phil MacQuire, who at the time was a chaplain for the North Queensland Cowboys Rugby League team, it was an easy decision to move back to Narellan, New South Wales, from Townsville, Queensland. Family was calling.
“My daughter needed a bit of help with a large family, and of course I’m getting a bit older now, so my wife and I decided we’d come back to support our daughter and son-in-law, who are out at Menangle.”
They moved to Angus Bristow Village. “In May, it will be sixteen years since we moved in. I’m very happy here. I’ve got no complaints. Management is good, the general run of the village is good, the atmosphere here is good.
I’d tick all the boxes,” said Phil. Phil has found village life and being close to family and friends, plays an important role in coping with the human experience of losing a loved one, after his wife passed away from Parkinson's last June.
“It has been very difficult without her. We were married for 56 years. I have my family close, I have other social groups I’ve belonged to long-term, I guess that eases the heartache a bit,” said Phil.
“It’s still difficult. I like to keep alert. I couldn’t stay in my unit all day, it would drive me mad.”
Phil attends church on Sunday, goes to bible study on Wednesday, and volunteers two days a week at the local primary school. “I help kids learn to read better and am a general class helper. I really enjoy it, I get
along with the teachers and students well. I get invited to their dos and that’s another social outlet.”
Living close to his six grandchildren also brings Phil great joy. “I have my grandchildren. My daughter had five boys and then a little girl. Her youngest, Hannah, has just turned fourteen, but I’m a softy, a real sucker for her,” said Phil.
“I pity the poor bloke that turns up in a few years time and has to go through her dad and all her brothers. I wouldn’t like to be in his position,” Phil laughed.