ARCO regrets to inform its members of the death of Brigadier-General Gerry McNamara, Árd-na-Gaoithe, Clybaun Road, Knocknacarra, Galway, and formerly of Shantalla Place, Galway. Predeceased by his parents John and Patricia and siblings Seán and Mary. Gerry died at Galway University Hospital after an illness bravely borne and with his family by his side on Friday, 2nd August 2024. Deeply loved and mourned by his wife Rita; sons and daughters David, Shane, Emer and Maeve and their partners Mary, Shirley and Neil. Very sadly missed by his much-loved grandsons Josh, Jake, James, Zach, Noah and Lucas and granddaughters Lily, Ellie-Mae and Leah. Gerry will be always fondly remembered by his brother-in-law Francie and his wife Mary Pillion, nieces Fiona, Yvonne and Emma, nephews Ian and Gerard, relatives, Defence Forces comrades and friends.
Gerry McNamara was born on 8th January 1946 and enlisted in the Defence Forces on 7th October 1963 as a member of 38 Cadet Class. He was commissioned on 27th September 1965 and served initially with the Air Corps where he won a Defence Forces Rugby Medal before being posted to 6 Infantry Battalion in Athlone. There Gerry continued his love of rugby with Athlone RFC and captained the club to its first Connacht Senior League and Cup double in 1976/1977. Capped by Connacht in 1975, Gerry was an inspirational team leader both on and off the pitch. In Galway he served with An Chéad Chathlán Coisithe and was then Officer in Charge of USAC, Staff Officer Western Command FCA, and Adjutant Western Command. Gerry served as the Chief Instructor in the Command and Staff school, The Military College, and at Defence Forces Headquarters where he held the appointment of Deputy Director Personnel Section and was later Director of Operations. Promoted to Brigadier-General in 2003 he was appointed General Officer Commanding 2 Infantry Brigade and retired from the Defence Forces in 2007.
In addition to his home appointments Gerry had extensive overseas service. He served with 12 Infantry Group UNFICYP (Cyprus) in 1969 and with the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO) in the Middle East from 1979 to 1981. He completed two tours of duty with UNIFIL in the rank of Commandant, as Company Commander, C Company 52 Infantry Battalion from November 1982 to April 1983 and with 59 Infantry Battalion in 1986. He was a Military Observer on the Iran / Iraq border (UNIIMOG) in 1989/90 and in 1996 was Officer Commanding 79 Infantry Battalion UNIFIL.
In retirement Gerry was a representative for the Western Region with ARCO from 2007 to 2020. His humour, humanity and common sense made him a very worthy and effective advocate for retired officers.
Reposing at Saint Pio’s Room within the Church of the Sacred Heart, Seamus Quirke Road on Monday, 5th August from 5.30 p.m. Removal into the Church at 7 p.m. Requiem Mass will be celebrated for Gerry on Tuesday, 6th August at 12.30 p.m. Following Mass, he will be laid to rest in Rahoon cemetery.
Live stream link for Mass (Mass will not be recorded): https://mcnmedia.tv/camera/catholic-church-of-the-sacred-heart
Members may wish to leave personal messages in the ‘Condolences’ section of Gerry’s death notice on rip.ie – https://rip.ie/death-notice/gerry-mcnamara-brig-gen-retired-galway-knocknacarra-564430
