ARCO regrets to inform its members of the death of Lieutenant-Colonel Kenneth (Ken) Kelly, (ARCO Secretary 2005 to 2009) on Wednesday, 8th May 2024, peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family. Sadly missed by his loving partner Brigid (Flavin), his children Sinead and Alan, grandchildren Aoife, Imogen, Camille, and Christian, daughter-in-law Lara, son-in-law Paul, Brigid’s extended family, brothers and sisters Catherine, Evelyn and her husband Gay, Tom and his wife Valerie, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours, Defence Forces comrades and friends.
Rest in Peace
Ken’s family would like to thank the Irish Cancer Society and Marymount Home Team for the wonderful care shown to Ken, also special thanks to Dr McEnroe and Staff, Youghal.
Ken Kelly was born on 27th June 1943 and enlisted in the Defence Forces as a member of 36 Cadet Class on 12th December 1961. He was a member of the Special Guard of Honour provided by the class for President John Fitzgerald Kennedy at Arbour Hill on 28th June 1963. Commissioned into the Cavalry Corps on 15th July 1963 he was first appointed as a Troop Commander, 1 Tank Squadron. He later served with Depot Cavalry, in the Office of the Director of Cavalry, as an instructor in the Infantry School, the Cavalry School and the Command and Staff School and in a wide variety of appointments as a Commandant, culminating as Squadron Commander 1 Cavalry Squadron. On promotion to Lieutenant-Colonel, he served at Air Corps Headquarters, was Commandant of the Cavalry School and a Staff Officer in Combat Support Section, Defence Forces Headquarters.
Three months after commissioning in 1963, Ken deployed to the Congo with 2 Infantry Group in October 1963. He served on two tours of duty in Cyprus with UNFICYP with the Armoured Car Groups of both 8 Infantry Group and 13 Infantry Group. He deployed with the first unit to serve with UNIFIL as Recce Group Commander, 43 Infantry Battalion in June 1978, and was later Senior Liaison Officer at UNIFIL HQ in 1998-1999. He completed a two-year tour with UNTSO in the Middle East during 1986-1988; with the United Nations Observer Group in Central America, ONUCA, during 1990-1991; with the European Community Monitor Mission Yugoslavia (ECMMY); and was Irish Contingent Commander with SFOR, the Stabilisation Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in 2000-2001.
Ken will repose in Egan’s Funeral Home, Greencloyne, Youghal on Thursday from 6.30pm until 8pm. Requiem Mass on Friday at 12 noon in the Holy Family Church, Youghal. A private Cremation will take place. Family flowers only please, donations in lieu, if desired, to the Irish Cancer Society. Mass can be viewed live on: https://www.churchservices.tv/youghal
Members may wish to leave personal messages in the ‘Condolences’ section of Ken’s death notice on rip.ie – https://rip.ie/death-notice/rt-lt-col-kenneth-ken-kelly-cork-youghal-555769
