A MAN involved with many landmark buildings of Huddersfield has died.
Harry Wimpenny died peacefully in his sleep at the age of 90.
The son of Joney and Ellen Wimpenny and grandson of the founder of J Wimpenny & Co of Linthwaite, Harry returned from active service in the Royal Artillery in the Second World War to continue the family tradition, joining the company as director of the company’s stone quarries at Crosland Hill.
Latterly he became construction director of the firm overseeing the building of many of Huddersfield’s landmark buildings until his retirement in 1985.
The firm was involved with the construction of buildings including Huddersfield Police Station, the Civic Centre, St Paul’s Hall and the Magistrates Courts.
Harry and his late wife Margaret were well known members of the Colne Valley community, lifelong members and supporters of Christ Church Linthwaite, active members of Colne Valley Conservatives and in the early 1970s were founding members of the Colne Valley Museum where Harry served as a trustee for many years.
He was also a member of Colne Valley Probus Club, past president of Linthwaite Junior Band and past president of the Stone Federation.
A well known Freemason, he was a member of Slaithwaite’s Colne Valley Craft Lodge from 1952, later becoming a Grand Lodge Officer of the Mark Lodge.
Always a keen supporter of Huddersfield Town, Harry was a season ticket holder.
He quietly passed away at Helme Hall Residential Home having lived independently at home in Slaithwaite until December 2009.
He leaves sons Jon, Nic and Jamie, daughter Helen, daughters-in-law Nan, Vicki and Sue, son-in-law Joe and grandchildren Robert, Henry, Paul, George, Lucy and Claudia.
A thanksgiving service for Harry’s life is to be held at Christ Church, Linthwaite at 1pm on Wednesday, February 24.
