Duffy String Band History

The Duffy String Band was founded in 1945 by Fire Captain George E. Duffy and, at the time, was called the “Firefighter’s String Band,” as its membership was largely comprised of Philadelphia Firefighters.  Some years later, the band was renamed “Duffy String Band” in honor of its founder.

In 1956, the band was purchased by Henry J. Kunzig, Sr. (photo at right).  A lifelong resident of Philadelphia, Henry was born in Fishtown, studied engineering at Drexel University, and served as a submarine engineer during World War II.  After his time in the Navy, Henry worked at Cramp Shipyard and, along with his father, at Marine Electrical Co.  However, most of Henry’s career was spend as an engineer aboard the tugboats operated by McAllister Towing.

When he purchased the band, it was Henry’s plan to make his son, Robert, Captain.  Sadly, Bobby developed leukemia and died at age 21.  So Seaman Kunzig named himself Captain and continued in his roles as Captain and Owner of Duffy String Band until his retirement from active participation in the parade in 1985.

That year, Henry’s son, Ted Kudrick, was named Captain, a position which he holds to this day.  Henry continued to manage the day-to-day affairs of the band from Duffy’s clubhouse in the Fishtown section of Philadelphia.  Henry thrived on the responsibility and he continued to live and breathe Mummery and its traditions until his death in December 1996.  On June 12, 2005, Henry was post-humously awarded the Legion of Honor Bronze Medallion by the Chapel of Four Chaplains aboard the USS John W. Brown for his humanitarian contributions to his fellow seamen, Mummers and community.