The death on September 7th of Jim Troy meant for many people, in different walks of life, the loss of a highly valued friend. Some had ties with Jim that went back to his college days in UCD, where he took a commerce degree before becoming a chartered accountant. On leaving college he became an active supporter of the college rugby club and helped to organise its activities and to solve - often with more than mere advice - many of the problems which arose from time to time.
At his funeral were former players from the 1940s and early 1950s who remembered with fondness his help and kindness in those days. And then there were his golfing friends. Jim was a member of Woodbrook, of which his father was for many years president, and also of Royal Dublin and Portmarnock. Eventually, after many years, he abandoned golf and took up riding. He brought to this new activity the enthusiasm of a convert, encouraging others, accustomed to a more sedentary life, to follow suit. He hunted with the Bray Harriers and, as a visitor, with other hunts. He also enjoyed bridge and was a long-time member of the Stephen's Green Club.
All this refers merely to the lighter, social side of Jim's life. There was another side - that of the dedicated public servant who played an important role in improving the lives of many of his fellow citizens.
On the establishment in 1957 of the Voluntary Health Insurance Board Jim Troy was appointed its first chairman. Voluntary health insurance on a community basis was then a new concept in this country. Jim believed that it required no State assistance and should depend for its success, not on the compulsion of statutory regulation, but on a general acceptance that through contributions voluntarily made to community health insurance proper protection against the hazards of ill-health could be provided for many families then unprotected. The resources available to the State at that time could only meet the basic needs of those covered by the Social Welfare Code and some categories of self-employed people on a very low income. For the vast majority of middle-class families no help was available and for many of these a serious illness meant expenditure beyond income and the threat of bankruptcy. The success of the scheme depended on the adherence of a sufficiently large section of the public to make it viable.
To this end Jim Troy directed all his efforts. Red tape and bureaucratic control was reduced to a minimum. He quietly and unobtrusively shaped the inner mechanism of the scheme so that it was and remained consumer-friendly - all claims being dealt with quickly and difficulties and snags overcome wherever possible. It was for him the greatest joy and pleasure to see VHI under his chairmanship gradually take its place as one of our country's great social services, which to some extent has helped to lighten the cold face of capitalism. Jim was appointed as part-time chairman at a stipend which, through the many years he served, differed little. He never sought public recognition for all that he had achieved and when he thought the time had come to retire he stepped quietly into the background - unfortunately, I have to say, unhonoured and unsung.
Jim never married, although he loved children and was always happy in female company. He was best man for friends on a number of occasions, godfather and the beloved and acclaimed honorary "uncle Jim" to many children. Birthdays were always remembered and when Christmas came "Uncle Jim" would rival Santa Claus with individual gifts, carefully selected, which brought joy to many young hearts and perhaps moments of calm to hard-pressed parents. He had a strong and confident belief in God and practised his religion quietly and without ostentation.
This, then was the Jim Troy whom many of his friends mourned on that day at his funeral - firm in his friendships, generous in his help when needed, with a quiet dignity which came from a sense of purpose in life.
The sympathy and good wishes of all his friends go to his sisters Lily and Ethna, his nephews and nieces and many grand-nephews and nieces. May God have mercy on his immortal soul.