The benign baronet

Died: Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy, seventh baronet, 93, chairman of Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy Charity Fund (SJJCF) as also of different fire temples and community organizations, on August 10, 2006 at Bom­­bay’s B. D. Petit Parsee General Hospital.

Trustee of SJJCF [the umbrella fund which manages the different religious and public service institutions (barring educational) under the JJ banner] for over six decades and chairman for 38 years, ever since the baronetcy devolved on him in 1968, "Jamsetjee was known for his acumen and shared the wealth of his experience in trust matters with his colleagues on various trusts,” noted a condolence resolution passed by the board of trustees of SJJCF in "sincere appreciation of the invaluable services rendered by Jamsetjee.”

On behalf of Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy Parsee Benevolent Institution (SJJPBI) which manages several educational projects in western India, the board of trustees commended their chairman’s "visionary and business acumen combined with his gentle disposition (which) made him an indispensable asset to the Institution in all matters... A devoted, committed and versatile trustee under (his) leadership the Institution rose in strength...”

Having enjoyed the "proud privilege of working under him for 43 years” as former secretary of SJJPBI, Khurshed Shroff noted, "It was during his benevolent regime that SJJPBI prospered and became self-supporting.” As conveyed another employee K. H. Wadia, "To us — the staff at the Charity Trust office — he was not only our trustee and chairman, but we also gave him the respect of our vadil, the head of our family, and he treated us alike. It was a unique relationship between an employer and his employees which is quite rare to come across in a work place.”

As chairman of the Hormusji Bomon­jee Wadia Fire Temple Charity Fund he "punctiliously graced the meetings of the trustees as well as the religious functions of the Atas Bahram with his presence and always gave us the benefit of his views readily and candidly,” noted a condolence letter from the five present trustees. Among the other religious institutions where Jamsetjee served as chairman were the Fasli Atash-Kadeh Trust and the H. D. Saher Fire Temple and Charity Trust. He was a trustee of the Ashburner Fire Temple Trust and the Bai Pirojbai Dadabhoy Maneckji Vatcha Agiary Trust Fund too.

As a member of the executive committee of the B. D. Petit Parsee General Hospital for more than 37 years he had impressed his colleagues with "his genial personality, his modesty and humility, his honesty, integrity and dedication, all of which endeared him to one and all,” as noted the condolence resolution.

"Maneckjee (the name given to him at birth before the title of baronetcy required him to change his name to Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy) was one of the nicest persons I had the good fortune to associate with and a thorough gentleman… Through my association with him at the K. R. Cama Oriental Institute I not only came to respect him but be fond of him…Gentle and kind, it was always a pleasure to work with him,” conveyed Homai Modi, joint honorary secretary of the Cama Institute.

For over 25 years Jamsetjee had given his "meritorious services (as chairman)… selflessly for the benefit of the Framjee Cawasjee Institute,” the venue of many functions and concerts in days of yore and spirited public meetings convened for the community.

"As an icon of the most philanthropic family of India he had rendered yeoman services to the society as a whole. He had been a guiding force to us and had nurtured our Surat Parsi Panchayat (SPP) as chairman of the Surat Parsi Charity Fund,” acknowledged SPP president Darayas Master.

"His valuable advice so willingly rendered and the active role taken by him in the affairs of Bombay Panjrapole (a shelter for abandoned animals)” as permanent president was recalled in the condolence resolution which further noted how "he always made himself available whenever he was requested in spite of his busy schedule...”

Among the different community institutions where Jamsetjee had rendered years of service as chairman or trustee were the Iran League, A. H. Wadia Charity Trust, Cowasji Behramji Divecha Charity Trust and the Zoroastrian Building Fund. The educational institutions with which he was associated were the M. F. Cama Athornan Institution and M. M. Cama Education Fund where he was chairman emeritus and The Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Parsee Charitable Institution where as trustee he had "guided and shaped our institution for many, many years,” as remarked principal Diana Mar­fatia.

Jamsetjee’s own education was at Bombay’s St Xavier’s School after which he graduated in arts from St Xavier’s College. Before he took up the baronet’s mantle on the demise of his second cousin he managed Nowrojee Ardeser and Company. Beaulieu Investment Private Limited and Nanabhoy Jeejeebhoy Private Limited were the other concerns where he served as director. Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy Foundation is a cosmopolitan charitable organization started by the family 10 years ago where too he was chairman.

Whilst maintaining his association with innumerable organizations, Jamset­jee made time to pursue his hobbies that included collecting coins and memorabilia of old Bombay. Very fond of clocks and watches, in 1995 he was appointed as honorary freeman and liveryman by the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers, UK.

Well known advocate Dadabhai Patel had stated in his condolence letter, "In all candor and frankness I may state that I have never met a kinder and gentler soul than Jamsetjee nor anyone so humble and modest as him.”

The benevolent baronet is survived by his wife Shirin, daughter Ayesha and son Rustom.