Mike Nesbitt describes the late Tom Frawley as ‘mentor’ for whom ‘serving the public always came first’
Mike Nesbitt described the late Dr. Tom Frawley as a mentor as he paid tribute to the former Western Trust chairman at Stormont.
"I shall miss him selfishly because I don't know where I will find another mentor to match him,” said the Health Minister on the floor of the Assembly on Monday.
Dr. Frawley was laid to rest in Ardmore on Saturday after his sudden passing last week.
At his Requiem Mass in St. Mary’s, Fr. Michael Canny had told mourners how Dr. Frawley had been born in Limerick in 1949 but had moved to Belfast where he was educated at the Christian Brothers’ on the Glen Road before completing his education at Trinity College, Dublin.
He embarked on a career in the health service in the North West in 1980 and ‘all his life committed himself to public service’.
"He clearly understood the objectives of the various responsible roles that he held in pluralist democracy and he had within him the great capacity to understand the other side and work with people regardless of their faith, and regardless of their belief.
“In his work, I'm told, he demanded from others what he did of himself. He expected everybody to do their job and not only do their job but to do it well.
“Yet he was very fair, patient, honest and courteous,” Fr. Canny observed.
During his Funeral Mass Dr. Frawley’s friend and neighbour Sean O’Kane reflected on how ‘Tom's professional accomplishments brought him widespread respect and admiration’ over the decades.
On Monday at Stormont Mr. Nesbitt acknowledged his ‘long and extremely distinguished career as a public servant’.
"He began in health. I'm told he became the youngest person ever to be appointed as a chief executive of any public body throughout the United Kingdom when he became CEO of the Western Health and Social Services Board (WHSSB).”
The Health Minister told MLAs that for ‘Tom serving the public always came first’ and noted how he had held several important roles over the decades including his time as Northern Ireland Ombudsman and Commissioner for Complaints until 2016.
“His CV is impressive but more impressive was Tom, the person. Think public service, wisdom, generosity, courtesy. Think integrity, insight and curiosity...
“I share this thought: anybody considering a leadership role in public service would do well to study not just the career but the values Tom Frawley cherished and more importantly how he put them to work for the public good.
"Be curious. Ask questions. Not just about what is in place. Ask how it is working and ask for proof. Celebrate the success of others, more than basking in your own achievements. Adopt a simple policy. Be human.”
Dr. Frawley passed away in the early hours of last Wednesday, June 24.
He is mourned by his wife Marie, children Rachel, Joseph and Daniel, children-in-law Matthew and Mary and grandchildren Jack, Alice and Lucy.
He was laid to rest in St. Mary’s, Ardmore after his Funeral Mass on Saturday afternoon.