TOUCHING tributes have been paid to a former mayor of Torfaen and councillor who died at home this month, aged 88.

Born in Crosskeys, Douglas Richard Davies was a well-known figure in the Torfaen area and represented the Abersychan ward on Torfaen council from 1990 until 2004.

The role was later taken up by his son, Giles Davies, who also followed in his father’s footsteps as the local authorities mayor between 2015/16.

Cllr Davies posted a tribute to his father’s life and legacy on Facebook, following his death on Sunday.

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

“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 lost of my dear dad and at present I’m on bereavement leave.”

Cllr Davies, speaking to the Argus, added that his father’s work inspired him to enter politics and that he was like a “best friend” as well as a father.

“He was a great man and was 88 but you can’t live forever. He will be missed by all of us,” he added.

Mr Davies joined the Army at the age of 18, serving in the Royal Artillery and seeing active service in Palestine before being posted to Egypt, near the Suez Canal.

He later 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.

He was also an active member of the Labour Party, serving as Torfaen’s mayor during 2003/4, with his wife Ann as mayoress.

The leader of Torfaen council, Cllr Anthony Hunt, has also paid tribute to the former councillor in a statement this week.

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”.

Mr Davies is survived by his wife Ann, their two children, Mandy and Giles, and three grandchildren.

His funeral is due to take place later this month in the Torfaen area.