The community of Tenby will be able to pay their respects to a popular character around the town this Thursday, who sadly lost his battle to Motor Neurone Disease last week.

Darrell Davies of Clareston Court passed away on August 24, leaving to mourn his wife Polly who said: “On Monday 24th August the man ‘who taught me what love is’ life came to its close. His beautiful blue eyes have closed for their final time. I shall carry and celebrate the love we have had for the rest of my life.

“He cushioned my life for 10 wonderful years with affection, fabulous memories to cherish and so much love which I cannot begin to explain. Fly high my darling husband - now you are free.”

Darrell was often seen around town with his beloved pet pooch Coco, whilst he also featured alongside award winning Tenby artist Naomi Tydeman on the 2016 ITV programme The Harbour which focused on the resort’s harbour community, whilst working with Naomi at her gallery on Cobb Lane.

On Darrell’s passing, Naomi said: “When you lose a friend who has been a part of your life for over 20 years, who you saw pretty much every working day, who teased you, annoyed you and made you laugh, who came out with ridiculous comments and some very savvy ones, who loved Tenby and the harbour and knew every angle (my challenge was to paint something he didn’t recognise - I managed it once!) - when you lose that friend there is a vacuum which cannot be filled by anyone else.

“Darrell worked for me for many years - he was called ‘Staff’ and I was ‘Boss’. His genuine interest in people and open, friendly nature made him perfect in the gallery - aside from the fact that he was also a great salesman.

“He made it possible for me to go traveling, sometimes at a moment’s notice, to have exhibitions in London, Italy and France, to be elected into the Council of the RI, to attend openings and art fairs, always supporting and encouraging me, and leaving me assured that the gallery was in good hands.

“He fixed things and made things and grew copious amounts of courgettes which I would find in a bag hanging on my door.

“He took the best photo of me that anyone has ever taken. On hot, sunny days when everyone was on the beach, he would stick his head in and say, ‘Tide’s almost in. I’m taking the Popeye boat out. Wanna come?’

“He would critique my work, especially paintings of boats, where a rivet would be out of place or a rope missing, but would always leave me with, ‘... but it would probably float.’

“He died horribly, but bravely, and he lived well. And he always said, at least once a week and possibly more, that if there was anything you wanted to do in life, anywhere you wanted to go, anything you wanted to see - then go and do it now, before it’s too late.

“Wise words. I shall miss him,” she added.

Due to current restrictions the funeral service on Thursday (September 3), will be strictly private, but with many people wishing to pay their respects, with this in mind, the funeral cortege will depart Rossiters’ Old Rectory Funeral Home at 12.50 pm and will travel up the Norton, into the high street, down to the harbour and finally travel up the backhill then onto the service at Parc Gwyn Crematorium.

There will be family flowers only but donations in memory of Darrell, may be made payable to Motor Neurone Disease Association or Tenby RNLI.c/o W & M J Rossiter & Sons Ltd. Funeral Directors, The Old Rectory, The Norton, Tenby.