Healy, James P
June 02, 2011Jim was born on March 15th, 1943, and reared at Danesfort, Loreto Road into a farming background overlooking the mountains and Lakes of Killarney.
Schooled at Loreto National School and the Monastery in Killarney town, he progressed to St Brendan's to complete his education.
After the Sem, he got a job with a local insurance broker, Danny Casey, in College Square, Killarney in 1961. He progressed to a position with the General Accident Insurance Company in 1965.
He quickly moved up the ranks to become an insurance inspector. He fondly remembered his days in Clonmel where his keen interest in greyhound racing and lifelong friendships developed. He transferred to th Killarney office in 1971.
Beginning a relationship with Amelia (Leila) O'Hanlon of Ballydaly, Millstreet in 1969 brought his life into a new phase and the couple married in January 1974.
They brought three sons - John, Ted and Justin - into the world during the seventies and continued to work hard and raise a family in Danesfort.
After the birth of Justin, Jim took the risky but ultimately successful decision to open his own insurance brokerage. Jimmy always loved a challenge and this was one me met with gusto and dedication.
James P Healy & Co Insurances Ltd was set up from 11 New Street in June 1981. Jim's clever and astute mind played a large part in the business growing and developing over the years. He expanded the business by taking over Irwin Insurances in 2006 and in 2007 the office where his career began, Casey's, Jim handed over to John in 2008 but retained a daily interest in the business and was always the chairman of the board.
Jim and Leila welcomed their daughter Martha in August 1986. This was a wonderful joy to both of them and Martha and Jim become a great team throughout life.
Sadly in 1992, Jim's beloved wife Leila passed away after an illness. Though deeply hurt, he carried on with the help of his family and his friends.
Sport played a large part in Jim's life. In greyhound racing, he will always be associated with the Canary prefix. His first victory came in 1986 when Speedy Carmount won the Lohercannon Sweepstake, opening a succession of victories both as an owner and breeder. One of the many highlights was when he bred, owned and trained three greyhounds from the same litter to first, second and fourth places in the final of the Kerry Petroleum Sweepstake in 1992. Jim was a director of the Kingdom Greyhound Track for the past number of years.
He also owned and bred a number of racehorses over the past fifteen years. A major part of his life in later years was showjumping, stirred up when Martha showed a keen interest at the age of ten. Father and daughter could be seen across the country attending shows culminating in Martha participating at the Royal Dublin Horse Show in the RDS in 2006 and 2009.
He played football for Legion, lining out at full forward for the senior team. After his playing career he took up a number of posts including treasurer. His three sons went on to represent the Legion at various levels and Justin is now the senior trainer/selector.
Jim was also actively in the world of rowing, holding a number of posts within the Flesk Valley club and Killarney Regatta committee. He was also a member of Killarney Golf and Fishing Club.
Jimmy will be remembered as an intelligent, clever and astute businessman, a sportsman, a lover of all things outdoors, a generous, forward-thinking, kind-hearted soul and above all else a great family man.
Of course his humour and wisdom will be missed by his family, neighbours and his many friends.
He is survived by his sons John, Ted and Justin, daughter Martha, brother Fred, sister Mary, daughters-in-law Patrician, Dympna and Jenny, grand-daughters Amy, Grace, Laura and Rebecca and grandson Cillian.
His requiem mass was co-celebrated by family friend Monsignor Dan O'Riordan in St Mary's Cathedral, Killarney on Wednesday May 4th with burial afterwards in Aghadoe Cemetery.
-Courtesy of Kerry's Eye, 2nd June 2011 Tweet
