This picture is of my dad Les Hodges, unfortunately he passed away on 20th January, 2012. I have put an explanation first, but have added an eulogy, please read through to the end, thanks Dave

Dad still lived independently right up to the end,

Still did his weekly shop for himself, still walked to his village, Newbridge (but he had to stop several times to catch his breath). Dad still cooked and cleaned for himself with no help from carers.

The Doctors and ICU Nurses of the Intensive Care Unit at the Royal Gwent Hospital tried everything they could to get him better. They were fantastic in their care of Dad, but....

In simple terms, as they described to me, dad had emphysema which had 'taken' a huge proportion of his lung and capacity to breathe away. It was like he was walking a tightrope just coping with day-to-day life, which he did to the best of his ability, but in early January, after spending Christmas with me, my wife Fiona and his grand-daughters Tori and Sophie, who were the twinkle in his eyes, he caught pneumonia and this knocked him off the tightrope he walked. The doctors could not get him back on his tightrope, could not get him to breathe again without the aid of a ventilator. Dad's lungs were no longer capable of supporting him, he was unable to expell the carbon dioxide from his body and he slipped quietly away. I was at hospital with him, I saw the effort it took for him to attempt to breathe, I was there when he took his last breath. He is at peace now I am sure, gone to join Joan, my Mum who went before. No more the struggle to breathe, 'Rest In Peace' Dad - Love You

Eulogy :- Les Hodges 28th August 1930 to 20th January 2012

Dad was from one of those ‘large families’ and had several brothers and sisters, he was born and bred in Six Bells, Abertillery. He would tell stories in later life of wimberry picking on the mountainside or playing amongst the dram carts abandoned above the Colliery. Dad was the youngest and, as with many families at that time, was raised with the help of his oldest sister Lil. Lil’s daughter Doris, Dad’s niece, was as you can imagine as close as a sister to him, Doris and her husband Dick now live in Canada and Florida, but are travelling back to be at the funeral. Some of his brothers and sisters remained residing locally, as in time so did their children, whilst others moved away. Les Married Joan Mason and, after a period of living with Joan’s mum and Dad, Eileen and Gilbert, in Abertillery, they moved to live in Fields Park, Newbridge, where I was raised and then after I had left home, they moved to Windsor Avenue. They made many friends over the years, but they also kept in touch with friends in Abertillery and Blaina.

Dad worked for many years for a local company, ‘Wallace Jones & Sons’, people may remember the shops in Newbridge, Cwmcarn, Risca and at one stage also in Newport, with offices in Abercarn (as the Rev Hodges will remember). Dad remembered fondly his years working there, he often described it as his work family and kept in close contact with several of his colleagues and their extended families, some of whom are attending the funeral. This was where his perspective on excellent customer service was honed. Where, these days, would you believe that the customer was always right (even if they were technically wrong). Dad believed it was important to people that you did whatever was in your power to find solutions.

With the closure of ‘Wallace Jones’ Dad became unemployed for several years. Being unemployed troubled Dad, he searched for work and the constant knock-backs took a toll on his self esteem and confidence. Dad confided in me on many occasions how grateful he was to Paul Sheppard, for the opportunity to work again and how much he treasured the friendship of Paul and Gay. Dad was tasked with re-generating the Hardware store in Trinant, which Paul Sheppard’s Chemist (Crumlin) utilised as an outlet for prescriptions. I know this was instrumental in restoring his self esteem and confidence.

Others will know Dad’s other skills in either decorating, or tailoring. He was a man who was very practical and could, with a bit of research and a little practise, turn his hand to most things. Well that is except driving, I remember once trying to teach him to drive in Leo’s car park, Pontlanfraith, where he was reluctant to change out of first gear because “the thing would then just move too fast!”

Dad loved Christmas-time, he loved the atmosphere created by people being kind to one another, he loved decorations and Christmas lights and all the carol singing. Dad enjoyed giving more than receiving, he tried to think of the most relevant and appropriate presents for each individual, he really enjoyed seeing the light in people’s eyes when they opened his gift. When he was in better health, he would enjoy taking shopping trips to Cardiff before Christmas and spend hours searching for that ‘right’ present. Dad was very artistic and creative and gifts he gave to close family where often elaborately wrapped and decorated to perfection.

Dad loved films, especially James Bond, but also films from many years ago that he remembered watching in his youth on a Saturday morning in Abertillery. Dad also loved to read, at times you could believe he had shares in Reader’s Digest! The amount of books and DVDs increased over the years to fill one side of the house.

Dad loved ‘Ballroom or ‘Old-time’ dancing, in his younger years and when Mum (Joan) was alive they loved going dancing together with friends. He was in later years an avid fan of ‘Strictly come dancing’ which was difficult when he visited us because of the clash with his grand-daughters wanting to watch X-Factor!

Dad was not a great World traveller, but loved to take holidays with friends, especially with Jean and Mary and their family over many years. He also loved his holidays with Doris and Dick and their family in Florida, where he loved all things ‘Disney’. Dad (and Mum) planned to take their Grand-daughters, Victoria and Sophie, to see Disneyland. Mum’s passing and Dad’s health declining in later years prevented the trip to Florida, but to celebrate his 80 Birthday, he accompanied Fiona, Victoria, Sophie and I to EuroDisney in Paris. Although he was limited to a wheelchair, he really enjoyed again the ‘Disney experience’, especially this time with his grand-daughters. Memories like this last forever.

Dad loved having family and friends around him to share in celebrations. Mum and Dad celebrated their Golden wedding Anniversary with a family and friends meal in August 2006, before Mum sadly passed away. More recently, in 2010, when Dad celebrated his 80th Birthday he took great pleasure from having many family and close friends around him at a meal at the Maes Manor. Dad cherished these memories and would often talk about the good times shared.

Dad really appreciated the friendship and support that neighbours have given to him and previously to Mum, I specifically want to thank Gaynor, Dad’s next door neighbour in Windsor Avenue. It was her offer of cooking him a meal and her intervention on Sunday 8th Jan, that I had an extra fortnight with him and chance to say goodbye. I would also like to thank other neighbours who were there for him over the years, but especially towards the end.

Dad was a man who lived life to principles, he was honest and had integrity, if he promised something he would do his utmost to deliver on his promise. If he could help someone in need, he would - even if he inconvenienced himself; even if he couldn’t help, he would listen, many people have described what a good listener he was. Dad believed in only speaking kindly of people, if he had nothing good to say about someone, he would keep quiet.

I believe that as Dad is looking down on us, he would be wanting to comfort us as he always tried to comfort all whom he knew were in sorrow or in pain. He knew, particularly with his grand-daughters, that often words were not necessary, all that was needed was the sharing of his warm smile and the giving of a special ‘cutch’ (cuddle).

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