MORE than 100 people gathered at Gwent Crematorium to pay their final respects to a former mayor of Torfaen yesterday.

Douglas Richard Davies, who served as mayor of Torfaen and represented the Abersychan ward on Torfaen council from 1990 to 2004, was a well-known figure in the community.

Among the mourners at the funeral were Nick Thomas-Symonds MP for Torfaen, Cllr Anthony Hunt leader, of the council, current mayor of Torfaen Cllr Jessica Powell and many more.

During the service, touching tributes were paid to the late councillor, who died this month aged 88 of motor neurone disease.

Pastor John Funnell led the service and described Mr Davies as a “kind” and “principled” individual.

“He was a kind and principled man and put the community first,” said Pastor Funnell, of Noddfa Baptist Church.

“He served the community he loved so much for for many years.”

The pastor then spoke of the former councillor’s life, which included serving in the Royal Artillery and being posted to Egypt and Palestine.

After leaving the army Mr Davies, who was born in Crosskeys, joined the Monmouthshire Police Force and served in Pontypool and Blaenavon before taking up a career in the licensing trade in Blaina and Abersychan. He later took early retirement from ICI Fibres in 1989.

During the service, leader of the council Cllr Hunt read a poem - Death Is Nothing At All - by Henry Scott Holland.

Previously this week Cllr Hunt had issued a public statement, where 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’ son Cllr Giles Davies, who represents Abersychan ward, posted a warm tribute to his late father’s legacy on Facebook.

He said: “It’s with great sadness that I lost my much-loved father, friend and role model.

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

Area MP Mr Thomas-Symonds also took to social media yesterday and tweeted: “Very moving to see the local community out in force today to pay its respects to one of our greatest servants, Douglas Davies.”

Following the service mourners went on to Greenmeadow Golf Club.

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