MORE than 100 people paid tribute to a “truly great father and multi-talented man who died far too young”.

Family, friends and pinball enthusiasts paid their respects as the coffin of David Rolfe, 51, was carried into the chapel at Gwent Crematorium bearing a giant pinball as the Blues Brothers’ song Everybody Needs Somebody was played.

Mr Rolfe, of Whites Close, Abergavenny, was diagnosed with a brain tumour in June last year, and died at his home on March 16.

The father of eight, described by wife Elaine, 50, as a loving and caring father to their children and more than 20 foster children, had requested no hymns, nor formal wear to be worn at the service led by Gregg Taylor, a celebrant with the British Humanists.

He said Mr Rolfe, who grew up in Nailsea, studied electronics at college and was a talented artist who could turn his hand to anything.

“He was a multi-talented man who died far too young.”

He was passionate about music, mountain biking and restoring pinball machines, founding the Welsh Classic Pinball Open five years ago at his former home at Ochran Mill, Llanover.

The couple also created an award-winning garden and regularly opened it to the public.

Mr Rolfe’s daughter, Jenny, 24, shared memories of her father with mourners and thanked him for “showing us what a dad should be”.

She said: “You truly were a great father and I will miss you. Bye Dad.”

Mr Taylor read out a letter that Mr Rolfe had written to each of his children, Abbie, 14, Daniel, 15, Harry, 17, Jack, 20, Tom, 22, Jenny and Lily, 24, and Joe, 25 before ending with the song Shank I Sheck by Sugar Minott prior to committal.