Jim Kenealy will be remembered as a 'mountain of a man' and a talented musician.

Born in Worth Village he was the second of four children to Irish parents and attended St Anne's School.

In Keighley he worked at a Co-op and a tannery before becoming a technician at RAF Croughton in Oxfordshire.

He lived in Buckinghamshire marrying Carolina after a six-week whirlwind romance and had a daughter Eleanor.

Jim was well known in the folk music circles of Keighley and Buckinghamshire as a talented fiddler.

But he also played flageolet (tin whistle), melodeon and sang.

Carpentry was another skill and he made several pieces of furniture for his family.

Jim also enjoyed the outdoor life and indulged in mountain climbing, camping and canoeing; only last year he canoed down the River Thames with Carolina.

And despite leaving Keighley in his 20s sister Elizabeth Mitchell says he never forgot his roots and kept close ties with his family and an affection for Keighley food

She adds: "He remained faithful to his belief Keighley fish and chips were the best in the land and you couldn't beat a Keighley pie.

"As they say 'you could take the man out of Keighley but you could never take Keighley from the man."

Jim died of bowel cancer on July 15 aged 59 at home surrounded by his family.

He was buried with his fiddle at St Cecilia's Church, Adstock Buckingham on July 23.

At his funeral his musical colleagues Pat Ludford and Mike Henry performed several songs and the Ox and Bucks folk group played Jim's favourite songs throughout the day.

Among the tributes was a letter from the American Embassy describing him as a "positive role model" with a "selfless approach to work."

Jim leaves wife Carolina, daughter Eleanor, twin grandsons Alfie and Charlie, brother Tony and sisters Mary and Elizabeth.