LEWISTON – Steven Jacques recalled the first time his friend Peter Roux climbed the ice of Odell’s Gully on Mount Washington.

It was March 27, 1993. “I was waiting for him on the summit that day,” Jacques told mourners Friday at Holy Cross Church. “It was an amazing day, windless and warm – a rarity for March. I was able to witness the happiness Pete had for completing this climb.”

Roux, a Lewiston native who had relocated to Tennessee, died last week after being caught in an avalanche in the same ravine. Friends and family buried him Friday, mourning a generous friend who loved sports and sportsmanship.

“I would trade places if I could. I am at peace with your decisions and I reflect on your memories,” Jacques said, addressing Roux, who died at the age of 39.

Roux was climbing the gully in Huntington Ravine on Jan. 18 about three miles from the trailhead in Pinkham Notch. Rescue crews began searching for him that night when he was reported missing. His body was found early the next morning by U.S. Forest Service snow rangers, members of the Mountain Rescue Service and Androscoggin Valley Search and Rescue.

Roux, a 1986 graduate of Lewiston High School and a 1990 graduate of the University of Maine, worked for 18 years at International Paper. He had relocated to corporate headquarters in Memphis, Tenn., six years ago. He was a manager of finance.

Co-worker Rhonda Yates recalled his optimistic spirit and good advice. Above all, she said the company would miss his enthusiasm. He was an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox and the Portland Trail Blazers, an NBA team based in Portland, Ore.

“We will miss your smile, your warmth, your laugh and hearing about your latest adventure,” Yates said. “And we’ll miss cheering on the Red Sox with you. Our lives were enriched by knowing you.”

Cousin Steven Jandreau said Roux was the closest thing he had to a big brother. He recalled that Roux once brought a box of Matchbox cars to play with, and one car in the collection had caught Steven’s eye.

“I remember just before he walked out the door, he just kind of tossed it to me,” Jandreau said. “That kind of sums things up. He was unselfish and always willing to do good things for other people.”

He is survived by his wife, Ann; his parents, Patricia and Richard Roux of Estero, Fla.; and aunts, uncles and cousins.

The family has asked for donations in Roux’s memory be made to the Mountain Rescue Service, P.O. Box 494, North Conway, N.H., 03860.