I only (last week) learnt about the death of this lovely gentleman, and indeed just that, he was.
I remember him when I was about eight or nine walking down Yorker and into Tivoli North en route to C.B.S. Mr De Courcy used to ride one of those very narrow handle bar  sit up and beg bikes, made by Rudge or Hercules. I think he was teaching at Kingstown Grammar and at the same time there was also a French lady teaching there.
He always had a smile and bid us  the time  of day. I got to know him slightly while I was a Bulloch Marine from 1965-67 when he used to come in and meet Bill Reidy, our guv'nor and the well known Dessi Brannigan the deep sea diver. I read much about this man over the years and how he put Dun Laoghaire on the map, Life boat supporter and Sec.. Maritime Church Museum. etc & was a gifted Maritime historian and man of peace and indeed a great Socialist. He was, also born in India to Irish parents serving in the Crown Forces as far as I understand.Our own Grandad served in India also at about the same time , c. 1910-1914. They got the lads all tanned up so that they could all go and get killed in the Belgian & French trenches. John de Courcy died whilst I was visiting in April and I missed all news. Not mentioned up to now John truly deserves the name 'Well known Dun Laoghaireite' God Bless you John. Dun L