ARCO regrets to inform its members of the death of Brigadier-General Jack Kissane, Salthill, Galway and formerly of Killomeroe, Lisselton, County Kerry. On Wednesday, 5th January 2022, peacefully at his home in the loving care of his family. Pre-deceased by his first wife Mary (née Hassett), brothers Fr. Michael, Edward, Richie and sisters Mary and Peggy McElligott. Beloved husband of Maureen (née Dunleavy) and the late Mary, much loved father of Niamh Ryan (Tipperary), Katherine Stapleton (Naas), John (Wales), Lorna Mayne (Dubai), and Keith (Galway). Deeply mourned by his wife and family, his sister Hannah May Liston, daughters-in-law Corrin and Hilary, sons-in-law Dominic, Eoin and Steve, adored grandchildren, nieces, nephews, the extended Kissane, Dunleavy and Hassett families, neighbours, Defence Forces colleagues and friends.
Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis
Jack Kissane was born on 20th November 1929. He was a member of 23 Cadet Cadet Class (1949-1951) and was commissioned on 8th May 1951. He spent his early years with An Céad Cathlán in Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa, Galway and served as an instructor in the Western Command Training Depot in Athlone. As a Lieutenant-Colonel he was Commanding Officer An Céad Cathlán and was Chief Instructor at the Infantry School. As a Colonel he was Director of Training from 1986 to 1989. Promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General he was General Officer Commanding Southern Command from 1989 to his retirement in November 1990.
He served in the Congo as Platoon Commander Number 7 Platoon C Company 32 Infantry Battalion ONUC from July 1960 to January 1961. This was the first unit of the Defence Forces to serve overseas. He was promoted to the rank of Captain while serving in the Congo. He later served in Cyprus with UNFICYP. He commanded 46 Infantry Battalion UNIFIL in Lebanon from October 1979 to May 1980.
A talented sportsman he played inter-county football with Galway from 1953 and was a member of the Galway team that defeated Cork in the All-Ireland Senior Football Final in 1956. Jack was the proud holder of two Connacht championship medals, one county championship medal, three Medical Services medals and three Chaplains Cup medals.
Reposing at the O’Flaherty Funeral Parlour, Munster Avenue, Galway on Thursday, 6th January from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. A walk-through system is in place at the funeral parlour. Requiem Mass for relatives and close friends only on Saturday 8th January at 11 a.m. at the Church of Christ the King, Salthill. Funeral after Mass to Rahoon Cemetery.
Livestream link for Mass https://www.mcnmedia.tv/camera/christ-the-king-church-salthill and on http://www.salthillparish.ie/our-parish/webcam/
Members may wish to leave personal messages in the ‘Condolences’ section of Jack’s death notice on rip.ie – https://rip.ie/death-notice/brigadier-general-jack-se%C3%A1n-kissane-salthill-galway/481928
