ARCO regrets to inform its members of the death of Lieutenant-Colonel Patrick (PJ) Kelly, Pic du Jer Park, Ballinlough, Cork, on May 22nd 2025 peacefully, surrounded by his loving family at Bishops Court Residential Care. Husband of the late Rosaleen Kelly and Marie Murphy Kelly, beloved dad of Toni (Marie) and Carol-Anne, treasured grandad of Niamh and Kelly, Michael, David and Ryan, loving great-grandad of Tyler, Molly and Romano. Predeceased by his father Colonel Joe Kelly, and his brother Colonel Bertie Kelly. Sadly missed by his loving family, brother Captain Joe Kelly, sons-in-law Ed and Tony, nieces, nephews, extended family, Defence Forces comrades and friends.
May He Rest in Peace
PJ Kelly enlisted in Óglaigh na hÉireann as a member of 24 Cadet Class on 10th January 1950. Injured, while playing for the Cadet School, his commissioning into the Infantry Corps was delayed by some four months to 15th April 1952 while he recovered from a serious knee injury. As a result he is not in the 24 Cadet Class photograph. His first posting was with 4 Infantry Battalion in Cork. Subsequent postings included 23 Infantry Battalion FCA, The Command Training Depot, Southern Command and 15 Infantry Group on the Border. On promotion to Lieutenant-Colonel he was Officer Commanding 12 Infantry Battalion in Limerick. He went on to be Operations Officer Southern Command and finally Command Adjutant Southern Command. PJ retired on 2nd January 1991.
Overseas PJ served with B Company, 34 Infantry Battalion ONUC in the Congo in 1961, as Company Commander B Company 25 Infantry Group UNEF II in the Sinai in 1973/1974, and as Second-in-Command 48 Infantry Battalion UNIFIL in Lebanon in 1980/1981.
PJ was an exceptional athlete, competing in marathons and cross-country races well into the later stages of his career. His enduring passion for sport extended to the golf course, where he remained an accomplished and enthusiastic player throughout his life.
Reposing at the Temple Hill Funeral Home, Boreenmanna Road of Jeremiah O’Connor Limited, on Saturday, May 24th, from 4.00pm to 5.00pm. Requiem Mass at 2.00pm on Monday, May 26th, in the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, Ballinlough which can be viewed at: https://www.churchservices.tv/ballinloughlourdes
Funeral afterwards to Saint Oliver’s Cemetery, Model Farm Road. Family flowers only, please. Donations in lieu to Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland: https://alzheimer.ie/get-involved/become-a-friend-support-asi/donate/
Members may wish to leave personal messages in the ‘Condolences’ section of PJ’s death notice on rip.ie at: https://rip.ie/death-notice/lt-col-pj-kelly-cork-ballinlough-594800
