North Wales Choir members are to perform at the funeral of a male voice choir enthusiast following a request from his daughter.

Hugh Edison Roberts, known affectionately as “Eddie”, died aged 79 on Friday, June 9, having suffered a cardiac arrest 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.

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.

His funeral will be held at Pentrebychan Crematorium, Wrexham on Friday, July 7 at 2pm and his daughter, Lydia, put out a request for a Welsh male voice choir to sing “Myfanwy” at the service - and members of Trelanwynd Choir answered her call. 

The Leader:

 

She said: "I played Myfanwy to Dad as he was at the end of his life. It would mean so much to have a choir, even if it was a handful of male voice choir singers, to perform at his funeral."

Eddie loved the Rhos Male Voice Choir and used to watch them practice every Thursday before he moved to Rhyl. He was also a choir boy back in his youth.

“Dad was remarkable, his sense of humour, kindness and generosity of spirit, we will never see the like of again. Within hours of coming round from his medically induced coma after his heart attack, he was reciting Dylan Thomas poetry. 

“We had two precious months with Dad after his attack. He was incredibly brave, and we are immensely proud of him."

The Leader:

After friends and residents of North Wales replied and shared her request, Lydia was told that 12 members of the Trelawynd Choir would perform. 

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She is 'truly touched by everyone's kindness' during such a sad time.  

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

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.