FUNERAL arrangements are in place for a former bus driver from Greenfield who was ‘known to many and loved by all who knew him’.

Keith Parry, a former bus driver who spent most of his life in the village, died on Easter Sunday and will be celebrated at a service at 11am on Wednesday May 8 at Denbighshire Memorial Park and Crematorium, in St Asaph.

His daughter Susan Parry-Harwood said that all are welcome to come along and share their memories of her father she described as a ‘truly wonderful man’ and join the family afterwards at the Springfield Hotel Health Club in Halkyn.

She said: “My dad was known to many and loved by all who knew him. He was a truly wonderful man with a heart of gold and never had a bad word to say about anyone. He loved the craft fairs and was our amazing, heartfelt helper.”

The Leader:

Keith Parry was described as an 'amazing, heartfelt helper' for the group

Mr Parry worked as a bus driver for several years in and around Flintshire and the Greenfield village where he raised his family.

In his later years, Keith and his wife moved into Holywell town, but he also lived in Deeside for a short period and went away to Cyprus complete his national service but, otherwise, Susan says her father’s heart lay with Greenfield and Holywell. As he always returned to the village for one reason or another.

Susan runs the fundraising fairs, Heartfelt Art and Craft and has said that people have been calling her to check if the next event will take place – which she confirms it will do to help raise money for Ty Croeso, Dawn Elizabeth House located at Glan Clwyd Hospital where her father received ‘brilliant care’.

Mrs Parry-Harwood said that her father had only missed a small number of fairs when he was admitted to hospital throughout the last year but was always on hand to help and was very proud of what the events achieved.

Susan estimates that the fairs have raised around £22,000 since they started in 2014 and feels that it was a fitting tribute to her father that they carry on and help as many people as possible.

She said: “Dad helped out with every single fair; he was very supportive of me when starting the events. He’d do all kinds, from running the raffle table to keeping the place looking spick and span and always had a smile on his face doing so.

“We would often catch him with his signature thumbs up pose – which he pulls out in most pictures.

“We are touched by the number of people who know of Dad and have said they will come along to the craft fair in his memory. It is lovely that, in a way, he has still helped with this upcoming fair by spreading the word.

“We look forward to holding the craft fair on18th May in his memory and help raise much needed funds for Ty Croeso’s Dawn Elizabeth House which is a home from home for parents, carers and families of sick babies and children at Glan Clwyd Hospital. Any support they get would be much appreciated.”

Susan added that donations may also be given in her father's memory at the funeral service on May 8, and these donations will be for Ward 5 at Glan Clwyd Hospital where her father received great care.

In a post on social media, Kassidy's Tea Room on Holywell High Street paid tribute to Keith who they described as a regular customer over the past decade who had 'earned the love and respect of all the team' and would be 'sadly missed'.

The cafe announced that their staff would be wearing something blue - Keith's favourite colour - in his memory and donating all their tips for the week to the family's chosen charity.

The upcoming craft fair, held on Saturday May 18, will be at Halkyn Parish Hall between 10am and 3pm with free admission.