WARM tributes have been paid to a man originally from Gwynedd who was known as a “very popular and well-respected” doctor in Holywell.

Dr Gruffydd Owen Jones died peacefully at home aged 82 on Tuesday, March 5.

He is survived by his wife, Gwenan; his children, Elin, Mari and Sara; and his grandchildren, Tom, Gwydion, Sioned, Padi, Gethin, Luned, Moi, Anwen, Huw and Macsen.

Born in Bangor, Dr Jones was brought up in Carmel, near Caernarfon, before he studied medicine in Liverpool.

After qualifying, he moved to Bermuda to take on his first job, before returning to North Wales and settling in Holywell.

READ MORE:

How pass rates at Gwynedd driving test centres rank across the UK

He went on to work as a general practitioner (GP) at Pendref Surgery Holywell for 32 years.

Dr Jones retired in 2001, but continued his committee work with the British Medial Association afterwards; he was also a member of Rotary Club of Flint and Holywell.

Elin Haf Gruffydd Jones, his daughter, celebrated the life of a man who “everybody was delighted to see”.

She said: “In Holywell, he was well-known and well-respected as a GP. He was a GP during the time when they would go to people’s homes, so he knew his patients and their families very well.

“When we were young, on Christmas morning, we’d go with my dad around the hospital in Holywell and visit patients, and everybody was delighted to see him.

“He was very popular, and a very dedicated doctor. People thought very highly of him because he was a doctor through and through.

“As a dad, he was good fun. He was a very practical person, and was really good with DIY.

“We went abroad a lot with my parents when we were young, to places like Portugal, Greece, Spain, the USA, and Canada.

“My dad went on a lot of skiing holidays with friends, as well; he loved the mountains. Every weekend, he’d go walking in Eryri with his friends and our dog.”

In 2011, Dr Jones was honoured by Welsh Government for his contribution to the health service and received an award by Carwyn Jones, the First Minister at the time.

He was also one of the first members of the Gymdeithas Feddygol Gymraeg – the Welsh-speaking Medical Association set up in the 1970s.

Dr Phil White, Y Felinheli GP and deputy chair of the Welsh Council of the British Medical Association, paid tribute to Dr Jones at his funeral.

Held in Bangor on March 23, Dr Jones’ funeral was attended by roughly 150 people.

“We have lost a stalwart of the medical profession, and I have lost a good friend,” Dr White said.

“He was dedicated to local hospitals, and supported GPs’ research.

“I knew ‘Gruff’ for over 30 years through our work with the local medical committees: Gruff in the east, and myself in the west.

“He worked tirelessly to promote standards and to improve conditions for GPs, across North Wales and throughout Wales.

“He was one of the first members of the Wales GP Committee, and was highly respected for his work.

“He always gave excellent support, good advice and sensible solutions. Always fair, careful and thorough, there are many who are indebted to him.”

Dr Idris Humphreys, a retired GP from Rhos-on-Sea, also remembered Dr Jones for being “very committed to hospitals in his area”.

He added: “Gruff was so active, representing GPs across Wales for so many years. He’ll be greatly missed.

“He carried on contributing through the committee work for a good 20 years after he retired.

“Everyone knew him and respected him. He was one of the early trainers of GPs, since the programme started in 1972, and was very committed to local hospitals in his area and across North Wales.”