Storke Funeral Home Obituaries

COL John H. Birrane (USA ret) passed away on February 27th, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Baltimore, MD on November 23rd, 1936 to Margaret (Simon) Birrane and John Joseph Birrane. 

COL Birrane graduated in 1954 from Mt. Saint Joseph College HS and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1959 from Loyola University, Baltimore, MD. His military career began as an Infantry officer in the 82nd Airborne Division and in 1961 he moved to the Field Artillery Branch. Some highlights of his career include being selected as Aide De Camp to the Artillery Commanding General, 7th Army, Europe and later appointed Secretary to the General Staff, Ft. Bliss, Texas. He commanded a 155 Howitzer Battery, Ft. Hood, Texas and a Nike Hercules Battalion, 32nd Air Defense Command in Germany, the same battalion he served in earlier years as a Lieutenant. He later served in the Pentagon in the Offices of the USA Chief of Staff and the office of the Department of the Army Inspector General. He did two tours of duty in Vietnam. He attended the Command and General Staff College, Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas and the prestigious Army War College, (1980) Carlisle, Pa. While there and after completing an internship in the United States Senate, he also earned a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Shippensburg University. COL Birrane retired from the US Army after 30 years of honorable service to his country.

He is survived by his wife Frances (Carton), his daughter Mary Frances Close, his son-in-law Col Bradley C. Close (USMC ret.) and three grandsons, Bradley, Patrick and Connor Close. A funeral Mass is planned in the old historic Post Chapel, Ft. Myer, Arlington, VA. at 1045 on 8 August 2022. This will be followed by interment with full military honors in Arlington, National Cemetery. 

If so inclined, in lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to two special causes among many that were special to John, the American Diabetes Association and the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.