Tributes to ‘remarkable’ former solicitor who ‘knew everybody in Rhyl’

Hugh Edison Roberts, known affectionately as “Eddie”, died aged 79 on Friday, June 9, having suffered a cardiac arrest in Morrisons, Denbigh in April and later developing sepsis.

Born in Ruabon and raised in Rhosllanerchrugog, Eddie moved to Rhyl in his 20s, staying in the town until about 18 months prior to his death, when he moved to a bungalow in Denbigh.

The last surviving child of his parents, Elizabeth and Richard; Eddie had two children, Lydia and Alex, and four grandchildren of his own.

Eddie studied law at Aberystwyth University, qualifying as a solicitor specialising in criminal advocacy, and worked as a criminal defence solicitor with a practice in Rhyl for many years.

Hugh graduated from Aberystwyth University, where he studied law. (Image: Lydia Roberts)

His funeral will be held at Pentrebychan Crematorium, Wrexham on Friday, July 7 at 2pm; his daughter, Lydia, is also searching for a Welsh male voice choir to sing “Myfanwy” at the service.

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Lydia led tributes to a “remarkable” man who was “always helping someone”.

She said: “Many people in Rhyl were grateful to him for his help on legal matters even after he retired. He was always busy; always helping someone.

“He was renowned for his wit, legal acumen and his eccentricity.

“Dad was devoted to his family and, in later years, he was overjoyed to become a granddad; he adored his four grandchildren.

“Dad was a brilliant scholar with phenomenal memory recall. He was known for his keen interest in antiques and his love of reading. He enjoyed an ever-expanding library, with bookcases wall to wall.

“Dad was remarkable; his sense of humour and generosity of spirit we will never see the like of again.”

Eddie, who married on his birthday in 1973, then became a father to Alex in 1975 and Lydia in 1979.

Hugh with two of his grandchildren (Image: Lydia Roberts)

Soon after marrying, he and his family bought a house in on Brighton Road in Rhyl, a town where he became a “popular guy” and “knew everybody”.

Lydia added: “He was always in and out of places in Rhyl; writing someone’s will up or helping someone with an insurance claim.

“The connections he made in Rhyl, he kept hold of. He knew everybody in Rhyl; he was a popular guy. He would do anything to help anyone, and I think that’s how a lot of people will remember him.

“He was eccentric, but he had a really good knowledge of law, and would use that to help people.”

Hugh Roberts and his daughter, Lydia (Image: Lydia Roberts)

While shopping in Morrisons, Denbigh in April, Eddie sadly went into sudden cardiac arrest.

But despite having no heartbeat for nearly 30 minutes, Lydia said her dad “defied all odds and fought his way back to us”.

His family were able to enjoy “two precious months” more with Eddie, but he then developed sepsis, which led to multi-organ failure.

Lydia commended her “incredibly brave” father, adding: “Within hours of coming round from his medically induced coma, he was reciting Dylan Thomas poetry and regaling staff with stories from his law years.

“His consultant was amazed by his resilience and exuberant character. He was incredibly brave, and we are immensely proud of him.”

A number of Eddie's friends and loved ones also celebrated his life following his death.

Francis Craig, who said Eddie was his “closest friend”, said: “I am deeply saddened that he is no longer in the world.”

Alison Young, Francis’ daughter, said: “I am so sad that Eddie is no longer in this world with us all. Eddie was a good man, with a spark in his eye and a loyal heart.

“He always entertained us with his stories; he had many of them.

“However, the biggest thing that came across from Eddy was the love that he had for his family, who he loved and adored. He was a real family man.”

Hugh Roberts (Image: Lydia Roberts)

John Skelly, who knew Eddie, his “closest friend”, for more than 40 years, added: “It was a pleasure to call Eddie my friend. He was a ‘one-off’, and was always there when you needed him.”

Mick Woolley, a friend of Eddie for more than 50 years, said: “Eddie was known by everyone in Rhyl and he was helpful to everyone.

“He had a brilliant and wonderful knowledge of the law. He was a very special man and dear friend, and a very patriotic and proud Welshman.”

Jean Noone Hague, who met Eddie through his legal work, described him as a “true gentlemen, always helping people, with great knowledge”, and someone who she “will always be grateful to”.

Kimberley Hughes remembered Eddie as a “wonderful family friend for many years”.

She said: “For as long back as I can remember, he was around. He was a wonderful man, for whom nothing was too much trouble.”

Tanya Kennedy, a family friend, celebrated “a very kind, thoughtful man who would help anyone”.

Another of Eddie's friends, Keith Lloyd, described him as “one of life’s great characters” and a “big-hearted man”.

Kirsty Jones, a family friend, said Eddie was her “rock growing up”, and a “true gentleman”.

Eddie's funeral on July 7 will be followed by a reception at Faenol Fawr, Bodelwyddan from 5pm.

The family asks that memorial contributions, if desired, in lieu of flowers will be gratefully received for donation to the “Dignity in Dying” campaign.