A CELEBRATION of the life of a Newport surgeon who operated on thousands of Gwent patients will take place on Friday.

Ken Shute, former general and consultant surgeon at Newport's Royal Gwent Hospital and amateur boxer, died last week at the age of 68 following an ischemic stroke.

The ex-Pooler hooker spent just a week in the Royal Gwent, where he had worked himself for many years, before he passed away, and the care he received went "above and beyond", said son Dan, 34, who described his father as an "amazing man".

Born in Pontypool in 1945, Mr Shute was educated at West Monmouth School before leaving for London to train as a doctor.

The youngest ever fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, he worked around the country before returning to South Wales in the early 1980s when he started as a general and vascular surgeon at the Royal Gwent, St Woolos, St Joseph's and in Caerphilly.

A keen squash player, he gave up the hobby due to a knee problem but instead took to boxing at St Joseph's Boxing Club at the age of 60, and was strongly opposed to the British Medical Association's call for the sport to be banned.

"He fell in love with it," said his son, who now lives in London, while daughter Zanna, 32, lives in Italy.

Mr Shute, who dropped the title of doctor after becoming a consultant, enjoyed boxing so much he even took part in a charity match against former professional Joey Newall, but his main passion was for his work.

Mr Shute said his father's death had taken the family by surprise, but during his lifetime he was adamant that no one should be sad when he died.

"He operated on pretty much everyone in Gwent at some point," said Mr Shute. "One of the most touching things is the amount of people talking about how lovely he was when he worked (there).

"Dad was always very clear that he didn't want people to mourn or be sad when he died, but to celebrate what was, rather than what won't be any more."

Despite the family living variously in Bassaleg and Llangybi, Mr Shute was a Pontypool boy through and through, said his son, having played in the front row for Pontypool RFC in the 1950s and 60s, immediately prior to the famous front row of the 1970s and was a patron of the club.

"He had a big personality, he was a very gregarious and generous man," said his son.

"He was as close to the porters and nurses as he was with his fellow consultants at the Royal Gwent and he had such generosity of spirit.

"I'd love to hear from anyone that cared about my dad."

A celebration of Mr Shute's life will take place at the Newport Masonic Centre on Lower Dock Street on Friday, October 24, from 2pm onwards and everyone who knew him is welcome.

Anyone who knew Mr Shute or has questions about the event on Friday can email incelebrationofken@gmail.com