ARCO regrets to inform its members of the death of Commandant Kevin Croke, Inchanisky, Mountrath, County Laois and formerly of Dunlavin, County Wicklow , Casement Aerodrome Baldonnel, County Dublin, and 82 Main Street, Portlaoise. On 28th August 2026, peacefully at home, after a long illness bravely borne, with his family by his side. Pre-deceased by his parents Kevin and Bessie Croke, and his young daughter Colette. Beloved husband of 50 years of Colette and much-loved father of Yvonne, Elaine and Kevin. Proud grandfather of Ben, Juliette and Bradley. Kevin will be deeply missed by his loving sisters Joan, Clodagh, Kyra, Louise and brother John, his treasured daughter-in-law Addie, Dylan, André, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, aunts, cousins, and Defence Forces comrades.
May he rest in peace
Kevin (Hefty) Croke was born on 8th August 1950 and enlisted in Óglaigh na hÉireann on 6th April 1972 as a member of 47 Cadet Class. He was commissioned on 2nd April 1973 into the Infantry Corps and was posted to 4 Infantry Battalion in Collins Barracks, Cork. His late father, also named Kevin, was a Lieutenant in the Local Defence Force, the forerunner of An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil. Kevin served with the Air Corps for a significant part of his career. The appointments he held there included: Personal Staff Officer to the Officer Commanding Air Corps; Squadron Commander Admin Wing; and Station Quartermaster. Many of our members will remember Kevin from his time with ‘Q’ Administration Section of the Quartermaster Generals Branch from 1983 to 1988. He was Camp Commandant Coolmoney Camp and OC Training Area Glen of Imaal from 1994 until 2001. Kevin’s final appointment, prior to retirement in August 2006, was Officer Commanding 9 Infantry Battalion An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil.
Overseas with UNIFIL in Lebanon Kevin was Quartermaster Number 7 Irish Component from October 1982 to May 1983 and Quartermaster 63 Infantry Battalion from April to November 1988.
Kevin had a lifelong association with equine sport both nationally and internationally and was appointed a Course Director by the Fédération Équestre Internationale. He was a former Chairperson of Horse Sport Ireland, President of the Irish Quarter Horse Association, Vice-Chairperson of the Irish Long Distance Riding Association, Chairperson of the Irish Draught Breeders Association and of the Equestrian Federation of Ireland. He was a course director, organiser and judge for national and internation endurance competitions, and was chef d’épuipe at both the European Championships and World Equestrian Games. Kevin was the owner of the Delour Valley Stud at Inchanisky, Mountrath, County Laois.
Despite the diagnosis that led to his final illness, Kevin continued to attended and officiate at equestrian events both at home and abroad.
Arriving at Saints Peter and Pauls’ Church, Portlaoise (R32 R684) for Requiem Mass at 2pm, on Monday 31st August, followed by private cremation. No flowers please. House private.
Funeral mass may be viewed on www.portlaoiseparish.ie/webcam/
Donations if desired to the Irish Cancer Society: https://www.cancer.ie and https://eventmaster.ie/fundraising/pages/DK62668327/donate.html or Pancreatic Cancer Ireland https://www.pancreaticcancerireland.ie
Members may wish to leave personal messages in the ‘Condolences’ section of Kevin’s death notice on rip.ie at: https://rip.ie/death-notice/denis-kevin-croke-laois-mountrath-640462
