ARCO regrets to inform its members of the death of Captain Felix (Brendan) O’Callaghan, Setanta, Doylesfort Road, Dundalk, County Louth. Felix passed away peacefully on Thursday, 19th December 2024, surrounded by his loving family at home in Setanta after an arduous, valiantly fought battle. Felix will be forever loved and missed by his devoted wife and best friend Anne, daughter Terri, sons Ian, Gary and Felix, sisters Ann and Breda, brothers Pat and Jim, sisters and brothers-in-law, nephews, nieces, cousins, many friends, comrades in Óglaigh na hÉireann, and in ‘the club’.
Ar Shíocháin
Felix O’Callaghan was born on 18th February 1945. He enlisted in the Defence Forces as a member of 37 Cadet Class on 2nd October 1962 and was a member of the Guard of Honour drawn from that class which rendered military honours at the graveside of President John F. Kennedy on 25th November 1963. He was the first winner of the Colonel Justin MacCarthy Trophy presented annually to the best public speaker in the Senior Cadet Class. After commissioning on 28th September 1964, he spent an initial period with the Air Corps, was then transferred to the Cavalry Corps and posted to Depot Cavalry in the Curragh Training Camp. Felix completed two tours of duty in Cyprus with UNFICYP: with the Armoured Car Group of 5 Infantry Group from October 1965 to April 1966 and with the Armoured Car Group of 10 Infantry Group from March to September 1968. He served on the border with Northern Ireland during the period 1969 – 1970 with 17 Infantry Group.
Felix retired from the Permanent Defence Force as a Lieutenant in March 1971 and was posted to the First Line Reserve of Officers with 1 Motor Squadron initially and then with 2 Cavalry Squadron. He was promoted to the rank Captain in 1984 and reported for annual training until 1986. Felix retired from the Reserve when he emigrated to Canada in 1989. Up to his recent ill health, Felix was an active member of the Cavalry Club, McKee Officers Club, ARCO and ONE Dundalk Branch.
Felix’s father fought in the War of Independence with Frank Aiken in 4 Northern Division and served through the Emergency.
Reposing at Shevlin’s Funeral Home (A91Y3CX) Saturday 2pm to 6pm, all welcome. House private at all times. Removal from Setanta on Sunday at 1pm for private cremation in Lakelands Crematorium, County Cavan.
Donations in lieu of flowers and Mass Cards to the North Louth Hospice at:
https://www.idonate.ie/cause/northlouthhospice
Members may wish to leave personal messages in the ‘Condolences’ section of Felix’s death notice on rip.ie at: https://rip.ie/death-notice/felix-brendan-ocallaghan-louth-dundalk-578681
