A NIGHTLIFE legend nicknamed “Mr Rhyl” by his many friends and family attended his own wake after learning he had only months to live.
Entertainer John Hobday died last week following a long battle with leukaemia.
The 74-year-old, a huge figure on the North Wales Coast entertainment circuit, in an unusual move was given the opportunity to attend a wake organised by family and friends on hearing of his diagnosis.
About 250 people attended the event at Prestatyn’s Nova centre in June which featured karaoke and a disco.
Steve Vaughn, 53, former entertainments manager for the old Ocean Beach fair ground and Brunels night club, and a close friend of Mr Hobday and his wife Barbara, said there were no solemn readings but there was a big party atmosphere during which Mr Hobday had a fantastic time.
Mr Vaughn led the tributes to his friend saying that, even during his long illness, Mr Hobday kept his signature sense of humour, and joked that his only regret was that he would not know who had turned up at his second wake.
He said: “For ages he was known as “Mr Rhyl” and “Mr Downtown”.
Everyone in entertainment knew John or knew of him. Later in life he was the manager of the Nova Centre in Prestatyn. He was everybody’s friend.
He was a show man. He was one of those people. He’d open the fridge door, the light would come on and he’d do a 10 minute routine. He had a fabulous sense of humour.”
Mrs Hobday, who was married to Mr Hobday for almost 40 years, said: “He was a good husband and a good father. He was always smiling and he was always singing.
“He loved helping people. He had a very kind heart.”
Mr Hobday was survived by daughter Kimberly, 28 of Prestatyn, and two children from an earlier marriage, Andrea and Mark, as well as three young grandchildren.
Noah Robinson, owner of Ffrith Beach, said: “John really was one of life’s gentlemen. He had special qualities, personality and charisma which endeared him to everyone. John was a good vocalist and entertainer and had the ability to make you laugh.
Mr Robinson, said that Mr Hobday’s first job was with Benny Lloyd on the High St in Rhyl in his fish and chip shop, where he almost became part of the family and had been a close family friend ever since.
He said: “John was very much a people person, and the Downtown Club which he occupied for many years was the most popular and brightest social venue Rhyl has known in recent years and that was thanks to John.”
The funeral service has been set for September 13 at St Thomas Church, Rhyl, at 1.45pm.
This will be followed by a private cremation at Mochdre Crematorium at 3.30pm.
Anyone wishing to pay their last respects are welcome at St Thomas and a second wake will be held at the Lake Side Restaurant in the Ffrith Beach complex after the service.