Tributes flood in for tragic couple (From Free Press Series)

Tributes flood in for tragic couple

TRIBUTES have been flooding in for a former police chief and his wife who died together in a house blaze.

Ex-Gwent chief constable William Farley and his wife, Marjorie, were said to have lived for each other.

Mr Farley and his wife, both 86, died last Thursday night following a fire at their home in Avenue Road, Abergavenny.

They leave a son, daughter, four grandsons and one great-grandson. Arriving in Monmouthshire as assistant chief constable in 1958 Mr Farley was promoted to chief constable six years later, and soon forged a reputation as a firm but fair leader.

As the chief constable's wife, Mrs Farley steadfastly supported her husband and formed lasting relationships with the communities and charities of Gwent that earned her the respect of the public in her own right.

The pair were described by those who knew them as "inseparable".

Gwent police chief constable, Keith Turner, paid tribute to the couple.

He said: "Mr Farley ably led the force through the groundbreaking amalgamation of Monmouthshire County and Newport Borough forces in 1967.

In many ways it was the leadership provided by Mr Farley that the force built upon in occupying the high position it does today.

"He was universally admired and respected and praised highly by the police committee for his time at the helm.

"There is little doubt that his success as a police officer and a chief constable was achieved in no small part as a result of the support and energy of his wife, Marjorie."

The local community have been shocked by the sudden deaths of the well-known and popular personalities, who were members of the local golf club and history society.

Abergavenny Mayor Victor Barrett said: "Both Mr and Mrs Farley were extremely well liked and for many years played an active role in Abergavenny life. They will be sorely missed by all in the community."

Daphne Davies, the couple's neighbour of 30 years, said she was devastated.

She said: "They were wonderful neighbours, but they were more than that, they were great friends too. We will miss them terribly."

A keen bridge player and an active member of Monmouthshire Golf Club, Mrs Farley was the Gwent County Ladies' Golf Champion, while Mr Farley enjoyed gardening and fishing.

Ray Bradley, secretary of Monmouthshire Golf Club, said: "The only blessing is that they went together.

"They were devoted to each other and would have been lost without one another."