ARCO regrets to inform its members of the death of Lieutenant-Colonel Raymond L (Ray) Roche of Clontarf, Dublin, and Duncormick, Wexford, on September 18th 2023, peacefully, surrounded by his family in the care of St. Vincent’s Hospital. Beloved husband of the late Margaret, loving father of Paul, Gary, Nuala and Claire. Very sadly missed by his daughters-in-law Katherine and Christine, son-in-law Morgan, sister Carmel, grandchildren Morgan, Grace, David, Dylan, Sophia, Sadhbh, Iseult and Art, loving companion Freda, extended family, Defence Forces comrades, friends, and neighbours. Pre-deceased by his brothers Richard, Gerald, Sean and Dermot, and parents Laurence and Dorothea. Ray’s family wish to extend their sincerest gratitude to the nurses and staff at Marlay Nursing Home for their wonderful care over the last five years.
May he Rest in Peace
Ray Roche was born on 8th October 1935 in Duncormick, County Wexford. He enlisted in the Defence Forces as a Cadet with 29 Cadet Class on 10th December 1954 and was commissioned on 26th November 1956 into the Infantry Corps. Posted initially to 2 Infantry Battalion in Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin, Ray then commanded and had a long association with 10 Infantry Battalion (FCA) in his native County Wexford. He served in a wide range of appointments throughout his career, especially in the Western and Eastern Commands including Officer Commanding, 2 Infantry Battalion and Executive Officer, 2 Infantry Brigade.
Overseas Ray served in the Congo as Lieutenant Platoon Commander, 2 Platoon, A Company, 34 Infantry Battalion from January to June 1961. In the rank of Captain he served in Cyprus as second-in-Command and Administration Officer, B Company, 20 Infantry Group from April to November 1971.
On 10th June 1967, while serving as a Military Observer with the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO), Ray escorted the remains of Commandant Thomas Wickham from Beirut to Dublin. Commandant Wickham had been shot and killed on the Golan Heights on the second day of the Six Day War on 7 June 1967.
Removal from Stafford’s Funeral Home, Maypark, Donnycarney on Thursday morning to St Anthony’s Church, Clontarf, arriving for 10am Mass followed by cremation at Glasnevin Crematorium.
For those who can’t attend the funeral it can be viewed live by visiting: www.stanthonysclontarf.ie/live-feed/
Family flowers only please. Donations, if desired, to Our Lady’s Hospice and Care Services.
Members may wish to leave personal messages in the ‘Condolences’ section of Ray’s death notice on rip.ie – https://rip.ie/death-notice/raymond-roche-dublin-clontarf-530210
