A POPULAR church organist has died after being diagnosed with liver cancer.

Patrick John Carney, 82, organist at St Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Newport, died on May 13, after he was diagnosed less than a month ago. As an organist at St Mary's for more than 40 years, his 'audience' at services, weddings and funerals ran in the tens of thousands.

His son Paul, 38, said: "He will be greatly missed by his family and friends, but comfort can be taken from the fact that he has given so much pleasure to so many people, for so many years."

Mr Carney was born in Chepstow in 1921 and was conscripted into the RAF in 1941, serving in Cornwall.

In 1946, he lived in Risca where he again took up employment with the railway as a signalman, retiring in 1986 after 46 years service.

Mr Carney began as a church organist in 1938 at St Margaret's Church, Risca, and then moved to St Luke's Church (now demolished) in Bridge Street, Newport where he became choirmaster.

After converting to Catholicism, Mr Carney became the organist at St Mary's Church in 1962.

In recognition of his long and dedicated service to the church, he was granted the Papal award of Bene Merenti at a special service in 1997. Mr Carney's requiem mass will take place at 10am on Friday at St Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Newport, followed by burial at St Woolos cemetery. He has been given a Papal Blessing, which will be presented at the funeral.

Mr Carney leaves four sons and six grandchildren.