Dr James McVeigh of Strawhall, Carlow was laid to rest in St Mary's Cemetery, Carlow, a short distance from his home and from the Carlow Sugar Factory in which he served with distinction for many years.
It was an occasion of great sadness for all those who were present to pay their last respects, as it was for the many people who had the good fortune to know him. He was a brilliant scholar, an outstanding chemical engineer and technologist, a pillar of his community, a gentle philosopher, a humble Christian, a reliable friend and confidant and above all a great family man.
James Christopher McVeigh was born in Dungiven, Co Derry on December 30th, 1924. At the age of 12 he earned a scholarship to St Columb's College, Derry and from St Columb's was awarded two bursaries for further education. He obtained a primary science degree at Queen's University, Belfast in 1943 and, after working in England for the remaining years of the war, he completed his studies at Queen's in 1946 with an honours degree in chemical technology. He was awarded a scholarship to the Imperial College of Science and Technology in London, where he completed his doctorate in Chemical Engineering in 1950.
This was followed by a Fulbright Scholarship to study chemical engineering and sugar technology at Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, in the United States. He joined the technical staff of the Irish Sugar Company in 1951 at Carlow Sugar Factory and was transferred in 1956 to Mallow, where for the following nine years he initiated and implemented many of the changes in the factory which paved the way to the highly automated operation it is today.
Jim was recalled to Carlow in 1965. While in Carlow, he undertook evening and weekend studies for a master's degree in industrial engineering at UCD, which he successfully completed in 1970.
He was promoted shortly afterwards to the position of group operations research manager. His management of energy function within the group, especially during the energy crisis of the 1970s, was exceptional and resulted in significant energy saving. He was during this time also chairman of the Energy Managers' Association, to which he made a major contribution.
Jim was acclaimed internationally as one of the world's foremost sugar technologists. The many papers he read to international technical conferences were received always with great interest and appreciation. He had a particular interest in assisting developing countries and spent time in Iran and Syria helping to develop and modernise the sugar industries there.
Jim was also a great sportsman. An accomplished footballer, he played on the Dungiven team which won the Derry Senior Football Championship in 1947. He particularly enjoyed swimming and hill-walking and for many years fishing was a favourite pastime.
On his retirement from Irish Sugar in 1986 he renewed his interest in study, learning and travel. He studied law for two years at UCD, then Ancient Egypt, and thereafter took many courses at St Patrick's seminary, Carlow. He also travelled extensively.
Jim will best be remembered, however, as a man of great integrity and kindness. He was never known to utter an unkind word. He will be greatly missed.
To his wife, Loretto, and to his sons, daughters and sisters, we offer our deepest sympathy.