A FORMER doctor who helped deliver over 1,700 babies at Denbigh infirmary passed away last week.

Dr Gwyn Thomas, 89, died in the early hours of the morning on Friday, December 7.

“Dr Gwyn” as he was most commonly known, qualified as a GP at the Royal College of General Practitioners in 1965 - becoming a third generation member of his family to do so.

Denbighshire County Councillor Mark Young paid tribute to the man he says “first got him interested in politics.”

“He took me to my first public meeting regarding the future of North Wales hospitals and numerous campaign hustings,” Cllr Young explained.

“He was always very kind to me and I’ll always remember the work he did when building pioneering accesses for disabled fishermen.

“I was so sad to hear of his passing. He was such a character and a true Denbigh legend. He will be a great loss to his family, friends and to Denbigh in general.”

During his time as a small town doctor, Dr Thomas Denbigh, Llansannan and the surrounding communities, he had almost 4,000 patients at any one time before retiring in the early 1990’s.

He spent several years at Bronyffynnon surgery on Bridge Street in Denbigh, where he followed in his father’s footsteps and practiced alongside his late wife, Mari.

He spent over 40 years as a member of Denbigh Rotary Club and was also a recognised figure within the fishing community, having been a member of the Vale Of Clwyd Angling Club (Formerly Denbigh Angling Club).

On Facebook, club member Ian Roberts, wrote: “Dr Gwyn will be fondly remembered by the fishing community for his wit and passion for the River Clwyd.

“Our club owes a great deal to the work undertaken by him to secure quality fishing for locals in the Vale of Clwyd.

“He always reduced the meetings to fits of laughter with his speeches. Our thoughts go out to his family at this difficult time.”

Former colleague and practice nurse Mari Huws added that she has “many fond memories” from her several years of working alongside him.

"Denbigh has lost a huge character - one that did so much to look after the locals living in the area, in his own unique way.

"I had the pleasure of being appointed as 'Sister Mari' by him in 1989 and then worked alongside him, learning so much from him up until he retired."