ARCO regrets to inform its members of the death of Captain Ronald J (Ronnie) McPartland of Howth County Dublin and formerly of Drumshanbo, County Leitrim on 16th November 2025. Peacefully, surrounded by his loving family and in the wonderful care of staff at Howth Hill Lodge Nursing Home. Beloved husband of Patricia and loving father to Katherine, Simon, Susan and Ronnie. Very sadly missed by his wife, sons and daughters, sons-in-law David and Paul, daughter-in-law Jackie, grandchildren Rebecca, Karl, Victoria, Grace, Rachel, Emma and Alex, great grandchildren Mason, Sienna and Kayce, brother Noel, sister-in-law Margaret, brother-in-law Eddie, nieces, nephews, extended family, friends, Air Corps and Defence Forces comrades and neighbours. Special thanks to Ron’s carers Miriam, Aireen, Mary and Faye.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis
Ronnie McPartland was born in Drumshanbo, County Leitrim and enlisted in the Defence Forces as a Cadet in 8 Air Corps Short Service Class 1960-1961. Ronnie was the only pilot to eject from an Air Corps aircraft. On 5th May 1961, while a Cadet under the instruction of Commandant Jerry O’Connor, (who went on to become GOC Air Corps in the rank of Brigadier-General) Vampire Number 186 failed to come out of a spin. Cadet McPartland was ordered to eject from the aircraft and made a safe landing near Mullagh, County Cavan. Jerry O’Connor regained control of the aircraft at 5,000 feet and landed safely in Baldonnel.
After serving in a wide variety of Air Corps appointments, Ronnie retired and went on to serve with distinction in Aer Lingus, before retiring once more to work for a medical supplies company.
Reposing at Staffords Funeral Home, Golf Links Road, Portmarnock on Thursday afternoon 20th November from 3pm to 5pm. Removal on Friday morning to the Church of the Assumption, Howth arriving for Funeral Mass at 10am followed by cremation in Dardistown.
No flowers please, donations if desired to Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland.
The Funeral Mass will be streamed live on Friday morning 21st November at 10am via: https://www.churchservices.tv/howth
The Crematorium Service will be streamed live via: https://www.dctrust.ie/location/dardistown/dardistown-chapel-webstreaming.html
Members may wish to leave personal messages in the ‘Condolences’ section of Ronnie’s death notice on rip.ie at: https://rip.ie/death-notice/ronald-ron-mcpartland-dublin-howth-611676
