Tribute paid to ‘lovable’ man
THE family of an 85-year-old cyclist who died in hospital following a crash have paid tribute to a “lovable and colourful character”.
Jose Fernandez-Castro had been a chef at some of Cardiff’s best-known restaurants.
THE family of an 85-yearold cyclist who died in hospital following a crash have paid tribute to a “lovable and colourful character”.
Jose Fernandez-Castro had been a chef who worked at some of Cardiff’s best-known restaurants after moving to Wales from Spain.
He died at the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend on October 31, following the collision on October 20 on the town’s Tremains Road. The 85-year-old was originally from Spain but had been a long-term resident of Bridgend.
Paying tribute last week, his family said: “Dad was a lovable and colourful character who moved to Bridgend from Cardiff almost two decades ago.
“After spending 39 years as a head chef in some of Cardiff’s best-loved restaurants such as the Ty Mawr, the Deri, Taurus
Steak House and Plymouth Arms to name a few, he settled to continue his retirement and occupy himself with gardening.
“He was best remembered for his straight-talking, wit and cheekiness, blended with his Spanish accent and Welsh ‘isms’, which could always light up a room.
“Born in La Coruna, his family migrated to South America while he sought to take on the challenges of a different country, and where better to do so than in Wales.
“He has not only left an unfillable hole in Kurt and Ferrol’s lives, but he will be sorely missed from a community who cared for him as much as we did; whether it be morning exercises at the pool, long walks in Porthcawl and Ogmore or sharing a bit of time with someone who needed it.”
Officers from South
Wales Police have appealed for witnesses to the collision, which involved Mr Fernandez-Castro’s bicycle and a grey Citroen C2. They would like to hear from anyone who saw the moments before the collision, or who has dash-cam or phone footage.
Please contact 101, quoting occurrence reference 1900387960.