Aidan O’Leary

I am so devastated to learn of Aidan's passing. I was fortunate to first meet Aidan in Baghdad and as a senior leader within the UN he was always extremely humble and an exemplary figure for all of us who were fortunate enough to cross his path. He had time for everyone, was unflappable and conducted himself with such integrity. I am heartbroken for his family and all who are feeling his loss. I will never forget Aidan and how excellent he was in every way.

Deepest condolences Karen and family on the sad and sudden passing of your husband Aidan may he rest in peace.

Karen, Darragh and Eimear, sincere condolences on the loss of your wonderful husband and Dad.
I hope that the great memories will sustain you in the months to come.
May Aidan rest in eternal peace

A rare one; razor sharp but with such grace. So much left for him to do. He will be missed by those who knew him and by those who will not benefit from his strength and compassion.

Dear WHO Colleague,
On behalf of the entire team, please accept our deepest sympathies.

Very sincere sympathy to Art and the O’Leary family on Aidan's passsing. RIP.

To Aidan's family,

I am so very sorry to hear about Aidan's sudden passing. I had the chance to work with Aidan as part of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative over the past few years. I know he had a long and distinguished career in more than one UN agency but you would have thought he had worked on polio his whole life, so visible was his passion, so dogged was his commitment to put an end to this disease. We were also very pleased to welcome him to Canada last October where he made an extremely positive impression on both parliamentarians and other stakeholders. Again, please accept my deepest condolences.

Oh Aidan, my definition of a true leader - one who led from behind, empowered his staff, and groomed them to be the best they could possibly be. Serving with you in Afghanistan and then again in Iraq are my career highlights- I was both lucky and humbled to have worked with you twice. Working in the most difficult circumstances in Afghanistan-even in those devastating situations-you remained calm and provided not just the leadership but assurances and compassion to your team . In Iraq working under your leadership in the aftermath of the ISIL crisis gave me the courage to serve in one of the most difficult and hardest duty stations and assignments I have had so far. Your fatherly counsel helped me find my path even in the most difficult of circumstances. You had a big and bold heart of gold that put the people we served first. The world will miss you Aidan, and so will all of us. Thank you for your service to humanity and for your leadership. I pray your family and loved ones the courage to go through this difficult time🙏. May God grant you eternal rest and your noble legacy live on 🙏

I express my deepest condolences to Mr. Aidan's family and friends. Rest in peace.

So very sorry Karen to hear about Aidan. Our deepest sympathies to you, your children and family.

Very shocking news when remembered the last polio information session Aidan managed only a few weeks ago!
The polio eradication program lost a great leader who was able to balance the numerous interactions into a clear strategy .
All my sincere condolences to his family !

Very sincere sympathy to Art and all the O’Leary family on the very sad passing of Aidan. May he rest in peace.

Aidan was a true leader and visionary who inspired us to always contribute to involve in the field of polio eradication. my thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time. We wish them strength and courage during this difficult period.

It was with great shock and saddnes that I learned of Aidan's untimely passing. I have very fond memories of serving with him in Transport in Collins Barracks Cork in his early years of service. He was a very hard working and capable individual. But more than that he was a absolute gentleman, a wonderful human being. The Defence Forces were very lucky to have him in their ranks especially when you think of the wonderful work he went on to do on the world stage on behalf of humanity itself.
My sincere sympathies to all his family at this very sad time for you all.
His star, while it shone bright on earth, will shine all the brighter from the heavens and I know he will continue to look after you all from above.

Mo chomhbhrón to Art and the O ‘Leary family on the sad passing of Aidan. I have very fond memories of Aidan as far back as my Scoil Mhuire days. A true gentleman. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílís.

Sincere sympathies to the entire O’ Leary family on the tragic passing of Aidan. We met in Telaviv on a few occasions, when Aidan was with UNWRA in Gaza. Each occasion was both enlightening and uplifting. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Deepest condolences to you Karen, Darragh, Eimear and the extended O'Leary and Higgins families.

Deepest condolences to Karen and all the O'Leary's on Aidan's sudden death.
I served overseas with Aidan and he was part of the GOH at my wedding.
Many's a good evening we had after a hard days work. A gentleman and a highly capable, warm heated individual, taken too early.

I am sending my deepest condolences on this devastating and sudden loss. Thoughts are with you and hoping you find peace and comfort in the days and weeks ahead
Warm regards

In the loving memory of Aidan, a mentor, a leader and an exceptional humanbeing.

If only I knew
I would not see you again,
that this would be our last time together,
in the same room, under the same roof,
I would have told you.
how much you are loved, cherished, and held dear.
You gave us something no one else could—
you gave us hope when there was none.

I would have thanked you.
for every dark day
when I turned to you
and you said, “Don’t give up. Carry on. You've got this.”
And for every setback we faced,
you would say, “Wait, look, we can turn it around,”
and we did.

If I knew
I would have asked you.
to stay for five more minutes
to tell you
not all heroes wear capes.
Not all heroes save the entire world.
You can only save one person, one at a time,
and you did.
You did save many of us in different ways.

If only I knew this was the last time,
the last conversation,
the last coffee.
I would have told you.
If ever, on a warm August morning, you departed so suddenly,
you would be missed—
your depth, your intellect, your compassion
A profound absence deeply missed.
Your legacy is here to stay.
in countless hearts, you touched.
I would have never let this go unsaid.

If only I knew
how to speak with this grief,
I would have confessed to it, too.
That some heroes do not wear capes,
that nothing gold can ever stay.
And you were gold,
you were, indeed.
I would have never let this go unsaid

Deepest sympathy to all the family on your huge loss. Aidan did so much good in his too-short life - may he rest in peace.

Sincere condolences to the O’Leary family. Shocked to hear of the passing of Aidan. He leaves a remarkable legacy. His tireless and selfless work over the years, touching so many lives and helping those less fortunate is something to aspire to. RIP

Dear Mary-Liz, Sincere condolences on the sudden passing of Aidan. He was a dignified and admirable servant to humanity. Our deepest sympathies to you, Art, Eoin, your Mum Pauline, and all your extended family at this very sad time. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. Love from Aisling, Stephen, Alex & Ella Duggan, Rosslare Hbr, Wexford.

My deepest sympathy to Karen, Darragh and Eimear on the passing of Aidan. May he rest in peace.

Mary Liz, Terry and the extended O' Leary family. My condolences to you all on the sudden passing of Aidan. May he Rest in Peace.

My condolences to Mary Liz and all of Aidan's extended family and friends on the sad passing of Aidan. May he rest in heavenly peace.

My deepest condolences to Karen, Darragh, Eimer and the extended O’Leary family on Aidan’s sudden passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time. May Aidan rest in peace.

Shocked and saddened to learn of the untimely passing of a former close colleague in the Defence Forces, Aidan. Fond memories of working together in DFHQ in the 90's. So proud of his achievements in life.
Sincere condolences and deepest sympathy to Karen, Darragh and Eimear, his dear mother, Pauline, his sister and brothers and the extended O'Leary and Higgins families.
Ar dheis De go raibh go raibh a anam dilis.

My condolences Pauline on the sad passing of your beloved son Aidan.May he rest in peace.

Sincere condolences to you Karen for the sudden loss of Aidan. Thoughts and prayers to you, Darragh and Eimear and the extended Higgins and O’Leary families at this sad time. May he rest in peace.

Sincere sympathy to the O’Leary and Higgins families on Aidans death May he rest in peace

Sincere sympathy to the O’Leary clan on your sad and sudden loss. May Aidan Rest in Peace.

My sincere sympathy to you Karen and Darragh and Eimear on your very sad loss.
I’m sorry i could not attend the removal Karen.🙏❤️
Maria

Sincere condolences to Karen, Darragh and Eimear on the passing of your beloved husband and father. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Our heartfelt & deepest condolences Karen, Darragh, Eimear and all the O’Leary and Higgins families on the sudden and hugely untimely passing of your beloved Aidan.

May your many great and wonderful memories of special times together comfort and console you at this most difficult and very sad time.

Rest in eternal peace Aidan.

Sympathies to Karen, Darragh, Eimear, Pauline, Art, Mary-Liz, Eoin and the extended O’Leary families on Aidan’s tragic passing. May he Rest in Peace.

Sincere condolences to Mary Liz and the O’Leary family on the untimely passing of Aidan. Aidans dad Bill was was a lifelong friend of our dad Tony from their school days around Castletownshend! May Aidan RIP.

Dear Karen, I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. May Aidan rest in peace.

Deepest condolences to Karen Darragh Eimear Pauline and the O leary Family on the sudden passing of Aidan may he rest in peace

Deepest condolences karen Darragh and Eimear, Pauline Mary-liz Eoin and Art extended families on the sudden and sad loss of Aidan may he rest in peace

Eoin
We were saddened to hear of the sudden loss of your brother. Our thoughts are with you and the O'Leary family at this difficult time.

To Art and the O'Leary family,
Thinking of you all at this difficult time, may Aidan rest in peace. Suaimhneas síoraí dó.

To Karen, Darragh, Eimear and Rose. Our Heartfelt Thoughts are with you all at this difficult time.

Please accept my heartfelt sympathy over the loss of Aidan. I had the pleasure of working with Aidan on the polio eradication effort at the WHO. He brought energy, wisdom and a knowledge of how things worked win health at the national and regional level that moved the campaign forward in a way that few other could have done. Aidan was also to me a kind and thoughtful person, always supportive, and always looking for consensus, such an important qualities in leading a global campaign against polio. It goes without saying that there are children walking today who would have suffered from polio if it were not for Aidan. I for one have a renewed commitment to continuing his work towards his vision of a world free of polio. Most sincerely, Bill Petri

I first met Aidan at an event in the UN last year He was wonderful company. He shared great memories of childhood summers spent in West Cork.
On a professional level we can only admire his success and the impact of his work globally.
My sincere condolences to Aidan’s family, colleagues and friends in Galway, Dublin, Geneva and elsewhere.
May he RIP.

To Karen, Darragh, Eimear and family. I am sorry for your huge loss. Thoughts and prayers are with you. May Aidan rest in peace. Elaine.

Our deepest sympathies to Pauline and all the O’Leary family on the passing of Aidan. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time. May he rest in peace.

To Mary Liz and Aidans family his wife Karen, and Son Darragh and Daughter Eimear, Mother Pauline, brothers Eoin and Art, and the extended family my sympathy and prayers at this time of bereavement as you mourn for Aidan. May he be rewarded for his goodness and service to those in need and share in the Joy of heaven as we celebrate this feast of Mary Our Mother assumed into heaven.

Dear Aidan’s family, Words cannot express how sorry I am for your loss. The world is less nicer place without a person like Aidan. I was blessed to be able to know such an inspiring and visionary leader, kind and caring friend and colleague. May his soul rest in peace. He was respected and loved by so many of us in Unicef, and across humanitarian community. My prayers and thoughts are with you at this difficult time.

Dear Karen, you probably will not remember me, but we (and my wife Reyes) met you in Bosnia a lifetime ago. I was working at the OSCE where I met with Aidan many times. We are so saddened to learn of his passing, he was such a kind hearted, soft spoken gentle giant. A really decent human being. We are thinking of you at this very sad time, Boyd and Reyes

Sincere condolences Art and the entire O'Leary family on the sad loss of your dear brother Aidan. Thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sad time.

Mary Liz, Terry and the extended O' Leary family. Deepest sympathy on the passing of Aidan. May he Rest in Peace.

Our deepest sympathy to you Pauline and Eoin and to all the family on the passing of Aidan. May his gentle soul rest in peace.

It's with great sadness that I have heard of Aidan's sudden passing. A soft spoken gentle giant. He has made such an impact on humanity on a global stage. May Aidan continue to watch over Karen, Darragh and Eimear, today at this difficult time and in the days ahead of you. A new Star will shine bright tonight. Rest peacefully Aidan

Karen I was saddened to hear of your loss
We are thinking of you and your family at this very difficult and sad time.
May he rest peacefully.

Dear Karen, Darragh and Eimear and extended O’Leary family. Heartfelt condolences. Aidan was one of life’s true gentlemen who had the art of making you feel good in his presence. All our love, thoughts and prayers Orla, Mervyn, Adam, Aisling and Deirdre.

Sincere sympathy to Karen, Darragh, Eimear and all the O’Leary and Higgins family on the sudden passing of Aidan. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this sad & difficult time.

Dear Mary-Liz deepest condolences to you and your family and the untimely passing of Aidan RIP. Thinking of you at this extremely sad and difficult time.

To Eoin and family. Deepest sympathy on the sad passing of your brother Aidan. May he rest in peace.

My sincerest condolences. I had the privilege of working with Aidan when he was in Pakistan and in his latest role. He was always confident, kind and supportive, often with a twinkle in his eye - such a true leader. His untimely passing leaves such a gaping void. May his gentle soul rest in peace.