The funeral of a man who helped to build Pontewydd Working Men’s Club and many of the new houses as Cwmbran grew as a town is today (Tue 9 Sept).
Howard ‘Rocky’ Roch, 73, was originally from West Pontnewydd and later moved to Fairwater.
His funeral is at 12pm at Gwent Crematorium. Family and friends are welcome to attend and go to the wake at Llanyrafon Social for “refreshments and sharing our memories and yours.”
The dad-of-two and grandfather to five was married to Denise, and the couple celebrated their Golden Anniversary last month.
Simon, his son (Howard’s other son, Christian, passed away in July age 49), told Cwmbran Life his dad was a master plasterer with City and Guilds qualifications.
After working on coal wagons, labouring and shifts at Saunders Valve, he found his trade as a plasterer.
‘Part of Cwmbran from the start’
Simon said: “ He was part of Cwmbran from the start. He built numerous houses and homes within the New Town of Cwmbran, learning new skills from my mum’s dad, including carpentry.
“You name it, my dad was a wiz with his hands and knowledge. He instilled that if it’s not done right, don’t do it. Do it properly. He wasn’t happy if he wasn’t working.
“He would do anything for anyone. He was always there to drive, make, build, repair, fix, talk, get involved. He loved doing what he always did. He was a wicked Dad! Salt of the earth, a hard man.
“Calm and collected when needed and straight to the point otherwise. He was aka “Rocky”.
“The name stemmed from his dad, John Roch, Additionally, my dad was a hard nut. Mess with family or anyone, my dad would put his point forward and resolve issues.
“He loved his wife, he loved his kids. That’s all he cared about. My dad shared many stories with lots of people. People shared his love too. The man, the myth, the legend.”