ARCO regrets to inform its members of the death of Commandant John Gleeson of Celbridge, County Kildare and formerly of Thurles, County Tipperary. On May 19th, 2025, peacefully, surrounded by his loving family in the excellent care of the staff at Mater Private Hospital, Dublin. Beloved husband of Jackie (née Bracken), adored father of Suzie, Mark and Alicia, and a cherished grandad of Cillian, Cían, Caelan, Luke and Max. Predeceased by his parents and his brother Michael. Deeply missed by his loving wife, son, daughters, grandchildren, sons-in-law Mark and Kavan, daughter-in-law Meghan, brothers Brian, Brendan, Dermot and Ken, sisters Mairéad, Valerie, Barbara and Helen, best friend Gerry, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours, Defence Forces comrades and friends.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis
John Gleeson was born on 12th July 1955 in Thurles, County Tipperary, where his father was Postmaster and was also Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant, 3 Field Artillery Regiment FCA. Having completed his studies at Thurles CBS Secondary School, John enlisted in Óglaigh na hÉireann as a Cadet with 50 Cadet Class on 28th November 1973. Commissioned into the Infantry Corps on 2nd December 1974 he was posted to 5 Infantry Battalion, Collins Barracks, Dublin. Postings followed with 27 Infantry Battalion, Dundalk, County Louth, with the Air Corps at Baldonnel, with 4 Infantry Battalion in Cork, and with 20 Infantry Battalion FCA, in Dublin. Ever an active soldier John completed courses in Sub Aqua, Parachuting, and qualified as a Fianóglach Instructor.
Overseas John was Second in Command, A Company, 72 Infantry Battalion UNIFIL from November 1992 to April 1993. Promoted to Commandant in August 1993, he returned to 5 Infantry Battalion as Company Commander, B Company. John retired from the Defence Forces on 2nd December 1996, was appointed to the Reserve of Officers First Line, and posted to 5 Infantry Battalion. He worked in the construction industry initially, was then facilities manager with Stewart’s Hospital, and later with Dublin Bus.
Reposing at Cunningham’s Funeral Home, Ardclough Road, Celbridge on Thursday evening 22nd May, from 5 pm with removal to Saint Patrick’s Church, Celbridge arriving at 7 pm. Funeral on Friday morning, 23rd May, after 10 o’clock Mass to Donacomper Cemetery. John’s funeral service may be viewed using this link: https://celstra.ie/live-feeds/
Members may wish to leave personal messages in the ‘Condolences’ section of John’s death notice on rip.ie at: https://rip.ie/death-notice/john-gleeson-kildare-celbridge-594647
