AROUND 300 people paid tribute to a Cwmbran father-of-two who “lived life to the full”.

Friends, family and colleagues remembered Timothy Lawrence Needs, who died aged 50 from pancreatic cancer on May 3, at his funeral at Our Lady Of The Angels’ RC Church, Old Cwmbran, on Monday.

Deacon Peter McLaren said of Mr Needs, who was a watch manager at Malpas fire station, Newport: “He lived a life very much to the full and although born in Talywain was a Cwmbran boy through and through.”

Paying tribute, his wife of 24 years, Joanne Needs, said he was a private person with strong values and qualities that have been instilled into their sons, Daniel and Matthew.

Mrs Needs said he believed in respect, honesty, responsibility and accountability and had shown great determination and dignity during his illness.

She told how her husband, who played rugby for Cwmbran, Newbridge and Ebbw Vale RFC, encouraged their sons to excel in sports, helping Matthew in his football.

“If you have ever played sport with him or socialised with him you would know that failing or coming second was not an option,” she added.

Mr Needs served as an apprentice bricklayer before joining the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service in 1985 and became a watch manager at Malpas fire station, Newport, which he described as a tough job but one he loved.

She said: “He used to say he had the best job in the world working with the best guys in the world.”

Mourners sang the hymns Do Not Be Afraid and Be Still For The Presence Of The Lord before attending a committal at the Gwent Crematorium.

They later gathered at Cwmbran Rugby Club.