Tributes paid to ‘true gent’ who died while riding his bike
COMMUNITY SHARES MEMORIES OF POPULAR CYCLIST
TRIBUTES have been paid to an elderly man who died riding his bike on Anglesey. Wally Needham, from Rhydwyn, was cycling on the A5025 Llanfachraeth and Llanfaethlu when he died on Friday.
Mr Needham, was in his 80s, was well known on the island. He would often be seen riding his bike and was said to be very fit for his age.
Holyhead councillor John Griffith paid tribute to the “fine old gentleman of the road”.
He added: “I saw him regularly riding his bike along the A5025, always a smile on his face and beaming. I would always flash my lights at him when I saw him and always a bright smile came back at you.
“From what I understand he was a solid neighbour. There for anybody and always helpful in any way he could be. If there were more people like him the world would be a happier place and a fitter place, too. You couldn’t get anybody as nice.
“He was in his 80s and an example of getting out and about and getting yourself fit. Everybody knew
Wally. Whenever I met him I was left with a warm glow in my heart.”
The road was closed by police at lunchtime on Friday while paramedics were at the scene.
Holyhead town Councillor Vaughan Williams added: “I’d like to express my sympathy to his friends and family. Wally was a real character, everyone knew of him even if they didn’t know him personally. He was a regular fixture, cycling from Holyhead to Rhydwyn. A real gentleman, and he will be sorely missed.”
At the weekend, the Anglesey community shared their memories of “one of life’s true gentlemen” with a “heart of gold” who died doing what he loved best.
Many took to social media to pay tribute to Mr Needham.
One said: “No one can replace such a kind and gentle person...He is so sadly sadly missed. Sleep tight night night you lovely gentle man.”
Another wrote: “I’m 63 now and have known Wally since I was nine years old. A true eccentric and one of life’s gentlemen in the truest meaning of the word. God bless you and keep you old friend RIP Wally.”
One man commented: “Wally was a true gentleman. During the rough winters, I would often offer him a lift back from Holyhead/Valley, but he would always turn down the opportunity. He did not let society push him or get in his way and loved living the way he always wanted.”
A woman said: “Amazing, the miles he cycled, loved animals and last time I chatted to him he said, as I got my dogs to stand aside to let him pass, ‘No! Animals always come first, in my world anyway.’”
A man added: “Whenever you were driving that way, you knew there was a good chance you’d see him.
“We thought he was the fittest guy on the planet, even at his age.
“On the way back from Holyhead that day, having turned around earlier to go through the back roads on seeing the emergency lights, we were looking for signs of an accident. When I couldn’t see one, I immediately thought of Wally and hoping it wasn’t anything to do with him. In a way, it couldn’t be a more fitting end. Doing something he clearly enjoyed.”