ARCOIreland regrets to inform its members of the death of Captain Ralph Gregan, late of Clontarf, Malahide and Portugal. A much-loved dad, papa and grand papa, he died peacefully at his home of 41 years in Portugal on the last day of May 2020, just shy of his 96th birthday. Beloved husband of the late Maeve, he will be deeply missed by his loving children Jean, Colin and Susan and their supporting partners Bob, Jackie and Gordon. Especially loved by his seven grandchildren Captain Amy McKeown (Retd), Captain Ross McKeown, Nicholas, Claire, Greg, Ali and David and his two great-grandchildren Ralph and Robin.
Ralph Gregan was born in Clontarf in 1924 and joined the Defence Forces as a member of 17 Cadet Class, 1943 – 1945. His brother Eric was a member of 12 Cadet Class, 1938 – 1939, and subsequently served in the Signal Corps. Ralph was posted to the General Training Depot in the Curragh on commissioning and in 1964 was posted to the Eastern Command where he served in McKee and Clancy Barracks. Overseas he completed two tours of duty with ONUC in the Congo: firstly with A Company, 35 Infantry Battalion in 1961 and then with 2 Infantry Group in 1963/1964. Ralph served as an observer with the United Nations Truce Supervisory Organisation in the Middle East in 1969/1970. Having completed his Command and Staff Course in 1967/1968 he retired from the Defence Forces in 1971 after 28 years’ service.
Having enjoyed a long, happy, and interesting life Ralph’s fond wish was to remain in Portugal. Members may wish to leave personal messages in the ‘Condolences’ section of Ralph’s death notice on rip.ie – https://rip.ie/death-notice/ralph-gregan-clontarf-dublin/425122
