VILLAGES NODDED silent respect to bid a poignant farewell to one of Saddleworth’s heroes of the snows.
Black flags flew on the cortège of ambulances, jeeps and support vehicles as James Munro Duffy – Jim to his legion of friends – was carried by convoy to his final resting place.
The mourners travelled in convoy from Greenfield to Hollinwood crematorium to pay their respects to the charismatic 57-year-old former leader of Oldham Mountain Rescue Team.
And when the cavalcade arrived at Hollinwood a vanguard of search and rescue dogs greeted the teams assembled to celebrate Jim’s colourful life.
OMRT’s leader, Mick Nield, said: “Jim was a giver – he was meticulous in his organisation and a true inspiration.”
Jim joined Derby Mountain Rescue Team as a Venture Scout at the age of 17. In 1980 he moved to the Oldham area and joined their team.
In 1986 he became the team’s leader, later heading a squad who worked sifting the aftermath of the fateful Lockerbie bombing.
He was one of the driving forces behind the launch of the now famous Oldham Weekend dedicated to crag rescue techniques and most recently was equipment officer for the Peak District Mountain Rescue Organisation.
A teacher in craft design technology, he moved to Longley School, Huddersfield, to teach children with special needs and inspiring them to the outdoors.
Jim was also heavily involved in Medex, an organisation of doctors interested in problems suffered by walkers and climbers at high altitude.
After the service, scores of mourners returned to OMRT’s headquarters at the Cross Keys, Uppermill, to sing songs and celebrate his memory.
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