TOUCHING tributes have been paid to a beloved Newport figure and grandson of Newport Docks Disaster hero, Tom ‘Toya’ Lewis.

Thomas ‘Tommy’ Lewis, of Pill, died last week, aged 79, following a battle with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease, which affected his ability to breathe.

Following his death, family have paid tribute to the former engineer’s life and legacy, crediting his passion for boxing, love for reading and “proud character”.

Tommy is the grandson of Tom ‘Toya’ Lewis, who was awarded the Albert Medal for bravery from King Edward VII following his actions during the Newport Dock Disaster (1909), which killed 39 people.

Today, several tributes remain to the former Argus delivery boy, including a pub named after him in Commercial Street.

His grandson, Tommy, of Henry Street, joined the Army in 1956, serving as a Royal Engineer and touring the world before working at Llanwern Plant and UK power stations.

“Those that knew him admired him for how straight he was as a person. I have let people know about his death and they always say, ‘what you see is what you got’”, son, Robert, said.

The father-of-seven encouraged his children to train at Maindee Boxing Club, including sons Paul and Robert, who have both held Welsh Amateur championship titles.

Daughter, Linda Griffiths, described him as “very proud of his time in Army”, a “big reader who knew everything about the Gurkhas” and a “big softy at heart”.

When his lung condition worsened, he travelled to Singapore in his early 70s to revisit his old army base and also researched stem cell research treatment options.

In his final week, he told his family that “life is beautiful” – a moment that daughter Linda believes reflected his “determination” to fight his illness.

In the tradition of the Lewis family, Tom ‘Toya’ Lewis’s Carnegie Watch — which was presented to him for his bravery and passed down through the family— now rests with son Robert.

Son Robert added: “Dad was a firm believer in standing on your own two feet.

“The friends that he had would always speak highly of him as he would say things as they were.

“We have all turned into decent citizens and good people because of him”.

His obituary remembers him as the “beloved father” of Robert, Paul, Richard, David, Linda, Mark and Matthew and brother of Catherine.

He was married for 25 years to wife Heather and has 20 grandchildren.

A funeral will be held on Thursday, August 3 at St Stephens and Holy Trinity Church, Adeline Street , Newport, at 10.30am followed by an internment at St Woolos Cemetery.

Donations will be collected for UK SCF Stem Cell Foundation, which funds research into stem cell therapies and treatment.

To donate, visit ukscf.org.