PONTYPOOL Community Councillor for the Garndiffaith and Varteg ward has died.

Cllr David Leek, 79, died on August 29 at Nevill Hall hospital following a heart attack.

The labour councillor of 22 years was a former leader of Pontypool Community Council from 2002 until 2012, and was its chairman from 1994-1995.

He leaves behind his wife of 59 years, Rene, four sons, Stephen, David, Jeffrey and Darren, five grand children, as well as his sister, Glenys.

He was born, brought up and lived in Garndiffaith all of his life.

He worked for 28 years at ICI where he was a plumber and pipe fitter. He was a keen rugby fan and played for Abersychan and Garndiffaith, being one of the founder members when Garndiffaith RFC achieved WRU status.

When he was a councillor he was involved in all of the activities of the council, being instrumental in bringing the Inter Schools Eisteddfod to Pontypool which has been running since 1999.

He was a member of the Pontypool Regeneration group for many years including the Townscape Heritage Initiative.

He was also very supportive of Pontypool’s twinning links in Europe and was proud to host visitors from Pontypool’s twinned towns as well as visit their various events.

Cllr Barry Taylor, who succeeded Cllr Leek as leader of the council, said that his lively presence and participation in debates at council meetings would be sadly missed by all councillors.

He sends his deepest condolences to the family.

Cllr Leek’s funeral will take place on Monday, September 9 at 2pm in Horeb Baptist Church, Blaenavon and at 3pm at Blaenavon Cemetery.