A FINAL farewell was made to one of Newport’s finest club singers today.

More than 200 people attended the funeral of Tony Bishop at Gwent Crematorium to pay tribute to a man who was “incredibly easy to like”.

Mr Bishop, 75, died on May 28 after an 18 month battle with cancer.

For more than 50 years, Mr Bishop performed regularly across pubs and clubs in Newport, including Ringland Labour Club, The King, The Open Hearth Pub, and the RPB Club.

Formerly a bus conductor in Newport in the 1960s, Mr Bishop entertained customers with his renditions of Elvis’ Wonder of You and Treat Me Nice.

Reflecting his love of the King of Rock and Roll, Mr Bishop’s secular ceremony was filled with Elvis hits, with I Will Remember You a fitting opening as his coffin was carried into the crematorium.

Sarah Wickham, the chief funeral celebrant, led the ceremony, saying: “Tony was a warm, friendly man who had a wonderful outlook on life.

“While his song has ended, his melody will linger on.”

One of Mr Bishop’s four children, Russell Bishop, gave the eulogy, paying tribute to his father’s immense likeability.

He said: “This is Tony’s last farewell, but he hasn’t left the building yet. His memory will continue for years.

“He was a hard man to dislike and an incredibly easy man to like. He was so vibrant and we were blessed to have a father like him.

“His final days were a four-day vigil and a real festival of love. He had a good innings.”

Following the eulogy, Mr Bishop’s rendition of Elvis’ Treat Me Nice, one of his favourite songs, played from the crematorium’s speakers.

In a fitting tribute, Mr Bishop’s grandson, pianist Oliver, played along on keyboards as the congregation clapped in time.

One of Mr Bishop’s six grandchildren, Gabriella, also paid tribute with a heartfelt poem, My Grandfather, that she penned following his death.

Reading the tribute aloud, she said: “You were such an inspiration and every time I hear your name, a smile appears on my face.

“Your spirit will always be with me, whether it’s in a flower or a dove.

“You were my hero, inspiration and guardian angel. You’ll always have a place in our hearts.”

As the curtain went down on his coffin, a performance by Mr Bishop of Elvis’ 1968 hit Memories was played.

He is survived by his wife, Ann; his sister, Wendy; his four children, Debbie, Gary, Russell and Anthony; and his six grandchildren.