MORE tributes were paid to a Cwmbran father described as a “man of the community”, who died following a road accident on Saturday.
Kenneth James, 59, from Pontnewydd, died after he was hit by a car on Saturday night.
He was walking on the A4051 Cwmbran Drive, near Pontrhydyrun, towards the town centre when he was hit by the Skoda Octavia at around 7pm.
Friends said he had watched Wales beat Italy in the Six Nations rugby just before the accident.
Mr James leaves wife Penny and daughters Rachel, Rebecca and Sarah.
His family described him yesterday as “a wonderful husband, father and friend who will be greatly missed.”
The father-of-three, who worked at Just Rollers in Cwmbran, grew up and lived in the Pontnewydd area all his life.
He was a pupil of West Monmouth Grammar School, Pontypool and studied with the Royal College of Music in London in the 1970s. He was also a life member of Cwmbran Celtic Football Club.
The club issued a statement on its website yesterday which described Mr James as a “staunch and loyal” member of the club for more than 30 years.
He was a junior and senior player and held the roles of senior team manager, club secretary and club chairman.
The statement said he was also involved with the Cwmbran Celtic Social Club and was instrumental in the opening of the clubhouse in 1979.
The club described him as a “man of the community” and said he also indulged in other passions such as singing with the Cwmbranbased NewHarmony Singers and with the Gwent Dragons’ Choir Cor y Dreigiau.
A spokeswoman for the Newport Gwent Dragons said Mr James was a founding member of Cor y Dreigiau, which was set up around four years ago by season ticket holders.
He was a deputy conductor and the spokeswoman added: “He was very involved in the choir and we have spoken to some members today who are all devastated.”
A tribute for Mr James is being planned for Thursday’s match against the Cardiff Blues, when choir members are planning to sing in his memory.
Gwent Police said no arrests have been made in connection with the accident.
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