A COMMUNITY will come to a standstill today as the town says a final farewell to one of its best-known residents.
Steve Poppit died suddenly of a heart attack at the age of 58 on Thursday morning of last week.
Scores of mourners are expected to be at Chirk Chapel for his funeral at 11am, which his brother says is likely to be the nearest Chirk will see to a state occasion.
As a mark of respect, the Kronospan chipboard factory, where he was one of the longest serving employees, will suspend deliveries for the day and fellow forklift truck drivers will form their machines into a guard of honour outside the plant.
Steve (Stephen) Poppit was born in Llangollen and moved with his family to Chirk at the age of 18 months.
He attended Chirk Infants’ School and completed his education at Ysgol Dinas Brân in Llangollen.
After leaving school he had a number of factory jobs before starting work at Kronospan in Chirk in September, 1973.
Over the next 38 years he worked as a forklift truck driver in the dispatch department and was also responsible for keeping part of the warehouse in good order.
At the time of his death, he was the company’s fifth longest serving employee.
Mr Poppit married his wife Jane 35 years ago and the couple have two daughters, 32-year-old Marie and Mandy, 28.
He also leaves a brother, Deryn, 43, and sister, Joyce, 54.
In his spare time Mr Poppit loved going to the local car boot sale and taking walks near Chirk Aqueduct and Chirk Castle. He was also a fan of car racing.
His wife said: “He was a very well-loved family man who would do anything for other people. “His death has come as a terrible shock.”
His brother, Deryn, who also works at Kronospan, said: “Steve was a very generous and giving man and I think his funeral will be the nearest Chirk will see to a state funeral.
“He drove one of the 12-ton forklift trucks on the site and other trucks in the fleet will form a guard of honour outside the chapel.
“All the family are also very grateful to Kronospan for stopping all deliveries of raw board for the whole day on Friday as a mark of respect to Steve.
“We are totally overwhelmed by this gesture.
“Last Saturday, Chirk AAA football team held a minutes’ silence for him before their game and a candle has been lit for him at St John’s Church in Chester where the rector, David Chesters, is a friend of the family.”
Kronospan chairman Mike McKenna said: “Steve Poppitt, one of our longest serving employees, had worked for us for 38 years.
“He took real pride in his work, loved his job and everyone knew it.
“As an indication of how fondly he is remembered, his workmates are planning a fitting tribute to him by presenting their fork trucks at the top of the factory drive when his funeral cortege passes.
“We have extended our deepest sympathy to his family and are supporting them as best we can at this very difficult time.”