ARCO regrets to inform its members of the death of Colonel Henry F (Harry) Johnston, Lissan House, Priorland Road, Dublin Road, Dundalk, County Louth who passed away peacefully, on Sunday 30th November, surrounded by his loving family. Beloved husband of Elizabeth (née McDonnell) and dear father of Mark, Harry, and Paul. Predeceased by his parents Harry and Annie (late of Deerpark, Ravensdale), sisters Alice and Lilly, and brothers Tommy and Jim. He will be sadly missed and remembered with love by his wife, sons, daughters‑in‑law Sinead, Claire, and Jackie, his adored grandchildren Naoise, Amy, Millie, Kaelem, Nessa, and Cara, sister Winnie, sister‑in‑law Delamar, Carers Nadia and Natasia, nephews, nieces, extended family, relatives, Defence Forces colleagues, friends, and neighbours. He will be fondly remembered for his strength of character and gentle nature.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam
Henry F (Harry) Johnston was born on 14th May 1938. He enlisted in the Defence Forces as a member of 31 Cadet Class on 3rd January 1957 and was commissioned into the Infantry Corps on 1st December 1958. During his service at home he held appointments in the General Training Depot, in the Military College, the University Student Accommodation Centre in Galway, 27 Infantry Battalion, Regional Civil Defence Officer in Dundalk, and in Training Section at Defence Forces Headquarters. Following the completion of his Infantry Course, he undertook the Ranger Course at the United States Army Infantry School, Fort Benning in Georgia.
His first tour of overseas service was as Lieutenant, Platoon Commander, A Company, 37 Infantry Battalion in the Republic of the Congo (ONUC) from May to November 1962. He served in Cyprus (UNFICYP) with 19 Infantry Group from September 1970 to April 1971. He was a military observer with the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization in 1985 – 86 in South Lebanon and at UNTSO Headquarters in Jerusalem. He was Deputy Commanding Officer 64 Infantry Battalion in Lebanon (UNIFIL) from October 1988 to April 1989.
Harry will repose at his home, Lissan House, Priorland Road, Dundalk, Co. Louth (A91 P3F9), for public visitation on Monday 1st December from 4pm to 8pm. Removal on Tuesday 2nd December at 1.30pm driving to Haggardstown Church (A91 XH75), for Funeral Mass at 2pm (https://www.churchservices.tv/haggardstown) followed by burial in Haggardstown Cemetery.
House private please on Sunday 30th November and Tuesday 2nd December.
Family flowers only, please. Donations, if desired, to the Alzheimer Society of Ireland in Memory of Colonel Henry (Harry) Johnston (Retd) at: https://eventmaster.ie/fundraising/pages/CH42856355/donate.html
Members may wish to leave personal messages in the ‘Condolences’ section of Harry’s death notice on rip.ie at: https://rip.ie/death-notice/colonel-henry-harry-johnston-retd-louth-dundalk-612862
