He was a "catalyst,” a meticulous host, solver of problems, he had a great relationship with his sons. These were some of the tributes paid to Hormusji (Homi) Chinoy by the trustees of the Parsi Dharamshala Trust and the Hyderabad Agiary Trust. The two jointly organized a memorial meeting on September 17, 2023 at the Dharamshala in Secunderabad for Chinoy who passed away on August 10, at age 70. Chinoy was a trustee of both these institutions and also served as trustee at the B. R. J. Chinoy Parsi High School and the B. R. J. Chinoy Dispensary. A former committee member of the Parsi Zoroastrian Anjuman of Secunderabad and Hyderabad, Chinoy was a bon vivant and people’s person.
Top: memorial meeting for Hormusji (Homi) Chinoy (above l);
from l, seated: Homi and Ketayoun;
standing: Cyrus, Jamshed and Jessica
Chinoy’s sister Soonita Kathoke told Parsiana that he had "refurbished the Dharamshala and added a new block during his tenure. He also refurbished the Chenoy Agiary, Hyderabad and upgraded the dining hall in the Dharamshala… His last job there was to upgrade the hand washing facility.” At the memorial meet she noted, "He was the third child to our parents… We were always close even as children. He worked in construction most of his life. He was a great one for telling stories and was good at knowing who was related to whom and how.” Chinoy loved having people around him. "He was an avid collector of whiskey… Watches were another of his passions… He and his friend Maher Parekh would have long chats about which watch was a good buy.” Kathoke was working while Chinoy was still in college. "He would run out of his allowance by the middle of the month. I would lend him the hundred he wanted and it would come back to me in the first week of the following month, ready to be handed out again when he wanted it.”
Saam Chinoy spoke of Homi’s generosity towards the needy, his "tremendous memory” and sense of humor. "He had friends from all walks of life.” Saam later told Parsiana: "As a trustee (Homi) gave advice and supervised works for the Dharamshala and the Hyderabad Agiary.”
Soli Chinoy recollected that he and Homi, also known as Mota within his close circle, were friends since age five or six. "He was the epitome of who is a good Parsi. He was generous… loved his food and drink and cursed with a lot of love and affection (as only a Parsi can)... If anyone was feeling low, all they had to do was call and chat with him and after a few minutes they would feel cheerful again,” Soli said. Addressing Homi’s sons, Jamshed and Cyrus, Soli commended their care of Homi during his last few months. "Mota, we will meet again. I just hope you are enjoying sipping your tea in the paradise above as much as you did in the Paradise across the street!” Paradise, the restaurant, ["their adda (haunt)”] also featured in Parvez Bhote’s recollections of Homi.
Other speakers included Mahrukh Patell, Shapoor Toorkey and Kayarmin Pestonji. The last mentioned recalled that he and his wife Gool had introduced Homi to his wife Ketayoun.
At the end of the meet Ashish Chinoy sang He’s a Jolly Good Fellow with the attendees joining in. Kathoke had organized a high tea which the gourmet Homi would have approved. Beyniaz Edulji