TRIBUTES have been paid to a ‘true gentleman’ who died at his Rhyl home last week.
John Nield-Siddall, of Rhydwen Drive, passed away at the age of 85 after suffering a heart attack in the early hours of Thursday morning.
He leaves his wife, Jean, also 85, just weeks before the pair were set to celebrate their 62nd wedding anniversary.
“He will be missed incredibly,” said Jean. “He will leave behind a massive hole in the family.
“We were always together. That was the key to our long marriage – laughter and togetherness.
“I will miss him dearly.”
John’s memory will now live on through his six children Glenn, Duncan, Ian, Phillip, Stuart and Geraldine, and also his eight grandchildren and his five great-grandchildren.
Duncan, 58, said: “We are all devastated – it has come as such a shock.
“He was a popular man around Rhyl.
“He was so well known and he will be missed by so many people.
“He was a true gentleman and he was the biggest influence in my life.”
John, who moved to the town from Oswestry at the age of 11, grew up on Emlyn Grove, and also attended Glyndwr Modern Secondary School – where he first met Jean.
He went on to serve his national service at the age of 17 before beginning a career as a Heating Engineer, working all over the country for Sulzer Brothers Ltd.
John finished his working career as a bus driver for Crosville Motor Services, the predecessor of Arriva Buses Wales.
Scores of people have also taken to the social networking site, Facebook, to pay their respects.
A service and committal will be held on March 14 at Colwyn Bay Crematorium to celebrate his life.