Remembering OSSGA Veteran James McEwan 'Mac' Duff
Original OSSGA Board of Directors member (then known as APAO - Aggregate Producers Association of Ontario), James McEwen Duff died peacefully on January 3 in Georgetown, ON. He was 91 years old.

Known as "Mac" to his many friends and associates, the Tara, ON native was involved with the association from its inception in 1956. Mac represented the second generation of the family sand and gravel business started by his father, John "Cam" Duff, in 1928, and his company, J.C. Duff Ltd., was one of OSSGA's founding Active members. Mac also served on the Board of Directors under the association's founding President, William M. Jack.

With a P.Eng. designation (earned in 1949), Mac was considered a rare breed in the industry: His engineering background enabled him to think logically and express his deliberations well on paper. Mac was known as an honest businessman, a supportive employer, good corporate citizen and a visionary who recognized the importance of computers in revolutionizing the business model in the early 80s.

Mac served as OSSGA director for several years and was a regular questioner of speakers at many annual association meetings. In his golden years, he published his research on the Duff family ancestry, as well as his memoirs.

He is survived by his wife Glenna and children Janice (Bob) Gee of Georgetown ON; Peggy (Eric) Hoult of Nanaimo, B.C.; and Ian (Joanne) Duff of Collingwood, ON; as well as six grandchildren.

Friends and family are invited to gather at the Ballinafad Community Centre, 9382 Halton-Erin Townline on Sunday, January 22 at 2:00 p.m. for a memorial service, followed by a celebration of Mac's life. (For directions, please click here.) E-mails to the family can be sent to heres2mac@geefolk.ca. (Photo attachments of Mac would be greatly appreciated by the family.)