A 94-year-old man who was in the Resistance and worked for the Red Cross in Paris during the Second World War took his own life at his North Wales home.

John Jules Leonidas Andre Faleur was found dead at his home in Mold Road, Ruthin, on February 23 this year, two years after losing his wife Nicole following a suicide pact which he survived.

An inquest at County Hall in Ruthin today heard that Mr Faleur’s body was found by friend Ann Roberts when she came in to check on him. He was lying on his back in his double bed.

The inquest heard that Mr Faleur’s wife Nicole, who he had met in Paris during the Second Word War, had died in 2017 after they had both attempted suicide by taking painkillers.

Mr Faleur had survived and his son Patrick said his father’s death had come as a shock despite the previous attempt.

The inquest heard that Mr Faleur had been born in Wallasey in February 1926. During the war he moved to Paris with his uncle where he served the Resistance, worked for the Red Cross, and arranged holidays for under-privileged children. He studied at the prestigious Lycée Louis-le-Grand school and went on to study medicine at the university in Paris.

He returned to the UK with wife Nicole in the late 1940s, where they both worked as teachers before Mr Faleur went into business. He worked in the Liver Building in Liverpool and Littlewoods, When he was made redundant he used the money to buy a house in Ruthin and started his own business Janik Enterprises.

The inquest heard that Mr Faleur had been unable to attend a family meal for his birthday due to back pain and was admitted to hospital on February 7.

While in hospital his medication was reviewed and he was discharged on February 21.

His son Patrick saw him on February 22 when his father said he was looking forward to hearing him play the violin and asked him to get some shopping.

The inquest heard that Mr Faleur lived an interesting life and enjoyed art, photography, music, food and drink, and spending time with his family.

In a statement, his son said Mr Faleur had said “he would end his life if it became unliveable”.

A post-mortem examination found that Mr Faleur had died from asphyxiation.

Assistant coroner for North Wales East and Central David Pojur recorded a conclusion of suicide.

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