MORE than 100 people gathered at Gwent Crematorium to pay their final respects to a former mayor of Torfaen yesterday.

Douglas Richard Davies, who served as mayor of Torfaen and represented Abersychan ward on Torfaen council from 1990 to 2004, was a well-known figure in the community.

Among the crowds at the funeral were Nick Thomas-Symonds MP for Torfaen, Cllr Anthony Hunt, the leader of the council, the current mayor cllr Jessica Powell and many more.

During the service, touching tributes were paid of the late former mayor, who died this month at the age of 88 of motor neurone disease.

Pastor John Funnell led the service and described Mr Davies as a “kind” and “principled” individual.

“He was a kind and principled man and put the community first,” said Pastor Funnell, of Noddfa Baptist Church.

“He served the community he loved so much for many years.”

The pastor continued and spoke of the former councillor’s life, which included serving in the Royal Artillery and being posted to Suez Canal and Palestine.

After leaving the army, he joined the Monmouthshire Police Force, serving in Pontypool and Blaenavon before taking up a career in the licensing trade in Blaina and Abersychan, and taking early retirement from ICI Fibres in 1989.

During the service, Cllr Hunt read a poem - Death is nothing at all - by Henry Scott Holland.

Cllr Hunt issued a a public statement this week, where he said: “On behalf of the council I send our sincere condolences to Ann, Mandy and Giles and the whole family.

“Doug always represented the community of Abersychan with great pride and a determination to improve the lives of residents.”

Son Giles Davies posted a warm tribute to his late father’s legacy on Facebook.

He said: “It’s with great sadness that I lost my much-loved father, friend and role model yesterday evening.

“My dad always taught me to respect every person as my equal and to always treat others with great respect.

“He was a man I always looked up to and respected.

“I am devastated by the loss of my dear dad and at present I’m on bereavement leave.”

Mr Thomas-Symonds also took to social media yesterday and tweeted: “Very moving to see the local community out in force today to pay its respects to one of our greatest servants, Douglas Davies.”

Mr Davies was survived by his wife of 63 years, Ann, their two children and three grandchildren.

Following the service mourners went on to Greenmeadow Golf Club.