Tributes paid to 'character' Des (From Penarth Times)

Tributes paid to 'character' Des

3:00pm Thursday 2nd July 2009

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TRIBUTES have been paid to a well-known and much loved Penarth man who died last week after a long battle with cancer.

Des James, of Salisbury Avenue, has been described as one of the town’s most popular residents.

The 62-year-old Cerebral Palsy sufferer became known as a 'Penarth institution', and could often be found on his mobility scooter outside the former Post Office on Windsor Road.

He died at Barry Hospital on Thursday, June 25.

Mr James’ neighbour and friend, Anthony Packer, said: “Des was a great figure in the town.

“It is upsetting to lose him, but in many ways I am also grateful because Des has suffered terribly with cancer for the last 18 months.

“He was so popular and had a great spirit.”

Mr James was born near Narberth, Pembrokeshire. He moved to Penarth in 1973 after working in Haverfordwest, Welwyn Garden City and Birmingham.

He initially lived in the SCOPE home on Victoria Road, and travelled to work daily by bus and train to the Remploy factory in Treforest, making office furniture, until his retirement in the late 1990s.

With time, Mr James wanted greater independence and moved to a flat in Salisbury Avenue in 1984.

John Thomas, a friend of Mr James, said: “Des had been overjoyed with and proud of this flat, and had survived on a fully independent basis up until the start of his serious illness, some 18 months ago.

“His working day started soon after 5am as his affliction caused such delay in his movements and preparation time.

“He was a committed Christian, and had been a staunch member in Bethel Chapel, Plassey Street, for more than 25 years.

“Right up to his last hospital admission he would not miss the two Sunday services.

“Des rarely questioned his Cerebral Palsy,” added Mr Thomas.

“He would often say, ‘When the going gets tough, the tough get going’.

“We have all been enriched by the privilege of knowing Des and the town will miss a huge social instrument and character.

“We, the more able-bodied, should count our blessings, and look to him as an example to go forward.”

Mr James’ family hope to install a bench in Penarth town centre in his memory.

His funeral service takes place at Bethel Chapel, Plassey Street, at 11.30am on Tuesday, July 7, followed by a service at Coychurch Crematorium at 2.15pm.

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