TRIBUTES have been paid to a popular former volunteer at Rhyl FC following his death.

Ronald Jones died aged 85 on Sunday, October 1 following a battle with vascular dementia.

He is survived by wife, Patricia; his sister, Margaret; his children, Ricky, Susan, Linda, and Rhys; and his stepchildren and grandchildren.

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After being born and attending school in Old Colwyn, Ronald lived in Rhyl for most of his life, and had three children with his late first wife, Vera, before marrying Patricia.

Ronald undertook national service, primarily as a driver, and after coming out of the Armed Forces, worked as an electrician, and later as a television engineer.

A passionate football fan, Ronald helped Rhyl FC with a variety of different jobs for many years, and continued to play the game himself until he was 69.

Rhyl Journal: CPD Y Rhyl 1879 hold a minute's silence in Ronald's memory on October 7CPD Y Rhyl 1879 hold a minute's silence in Ronald's memory on October 7 (Image: CPD Y Rhyl 1879)

His son, Rhys, celebrated the life of a “really happy person”.

Rhys said: “He was always involved in football; running Sunday league and youth teams.

“He had a lot to do with Rhyl FC, volunteering for them, painting and decorating, cleaning their kits, looking after the changing rooms – anything the club needed, really.

“He worked at the home games – he was there most days, to honest; they couldn’t get rid of him!

“He was a really happy person, unless you were playing football with him! He was big into his sport, and was happy as long as he’d done his crossword and was watching football on the TV.

“He was also a very good snooker player, captaining a lot of the Rhyl teams, and winning a lot of trophies.”

Ronald’s funeral will take place on Monday, October 16 at Denbighshire Memorial Park and Crematorium, St Asaph at 11am.

This will be followed by a reception at the Ffordd Derwen pub in Rhyl.

His son, Ricky, also paid tribute to him, adding: “My dad was involved in local football all of his life, playing and managing Sunday league teams when it was a very good standard.

“He carried on playing five-a-side leagues, and then on to friendly games on a Wednesday night, until he was 69. He was always competitive and very enthusiastic.

“I can recall playing on the same team as him and my son, Paul, many times, and other players saying how special it was that three generations of the same family played together.”

CPD Y Rhyl 1879 also paid tribute to Ronald following his death.

The club marked his death with a minute’s silence prior to their 3-1 home win against Conwy Borough on Saturday (October 7).

A club statement read: “We are saddened by the news that former Rhyl FC volunteer Ron Jones has recently passed away.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Ron’s family and friends at this difficult time.”