Joshua Duckworth

While snowboarding in Davos Switzerland on March 13, 2006, Joshua Duckworth was killed in an avalanche. He would have turned 31 on April 10.

Snowboarding with him was Erik Hoogen, who survived the avalanche. Jake Mulhair, Josh’s cousin, was also on the ski trip but returned home three weeks ago after suffering a knee injury.

A fourth friend, Jonny Streeter, was in Zurich the day of the accident. The friends left Christmas Day for Davos and had expected to return in April.

Josh had participated in several Barnworks Spring Art Tours. He enjoyed creating large statues out of discarded rusty junk, and several of his pieces were purchased by Islanders.

Luke Lukoskie owns “Rusty Mamma,” and the “Dragon” is in a Vashon garden and the “Buffalo” stands at the entrance of the AYH Ranch Hostel on Cove Road. It is unknown who purchased “Rosta Man.” His largest piece, “The Indian” is in Waitsburg, Wash. on his father’s property.

Josh also built many arbors, lanterns, and decorative pieces that are owned by various Islanders.

He graduated from Kennedy High School in West Seattle and later attended Evergreen College where he graduated with a bachelor’s in art. While at Evergreen, he studied one semester in Australia. During his stay there he took up the didgeridoo, a wind instrument of the aborigines and won a contest for the instrument, beating out many locals.

Josh was the only child of Bill Duckworth of Waitsburg, and Kathy Edgell of West Seattle.

Other survivors include his grandmother, Gwen Duckworth, and aunt Judy Mulhair, both of Vashon, as well as his friend and buddy, his cousin Jake Mulhair.

Numerous aunts, uncles and cousins as well as a stepfather Steve Edgell, a stepmother Anita Duckworth, and stepbrother Brian Edgell, also survive.

A celebration of his life will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 25, at the AYH Ranch Hostel.