OVER 150 close friends and family members attended the funeral of a much-loved character from Bethesda last week.

On April 6, a large crowd gathered inside and outside the Bangor Crematorium to remember David Elwyn Pritchard, a man described as "a well-respected and popular individual" throughout the Dyffryn Ogwen area.

The 73-year-old, also known as "Dafydd Rose" passed away on March 27. He had suffered from Rheumatoid Athritis for a number of years and was regularly seen to by staff at Ysbyty Gwynedd.

His cousin, Heulwen, and her husband Emyr had looked after him in his final months of life, with Mr Pritchard himself saying that she was "like a sister to him".

Mr Pritchard was part of the family who owned the now defunct Purple Motors, initially formed by his grandfather.

As a youngster, he was taught at Ysgol y Cefnfaes and had grown up with his mother, Rose, father, Robert (Bob), brother, Trefor and sister Helen at the Victoria cafe.

The service to remember Mr Pritchard last Friday was led by Rev. Huw John Hughes. One of his closest friends, Dr. J. Elwyn Hughes, led the tributes to him with a touching speech.

Dr. Hughes had first come to know Mr Pritchard when they worked alongside one another at Purple Motors in the 1960's.

During the service, he spoke of Mr Pritchard's love for the family business, referring to him as the "King of the Buses".

"Dafydd thought the world of the buses, but also of the companionship of those around him," Dr. Hughes explained.

"He finished his working career in an Austin Taylor factory, but I never heard stories from when he was there, it was always tales of Purple Motors instead."

Dr. Hughes also told of how, as Mr Pritchard's eyesight worsened in 2015, he had made the most of using public buses, where he once again made new friends and enjoyed talking to drivers.

Over the years, Mr Pritchard had made several friends and memories across the Dyffryn Ogwen area and beyond.

He was a keen supporter of Liverpool Football Club and also of his local football team, Mynydd Llandygai, where he was a committee member. In April 2015, he helped raise £450 towards the club via a coffee morning.

Following the news that Mr Pritchard had passed away, a spokesperson for the club said: "We are saddened to hear about the passing of our loyal committee member Dafydd "Rose" Pritchard.

"Not only was he a faithful fundraiser and supporter, but he was also a true friend to many. He will be a great loss to CPD Mynydd Llandegai FC."

Mr Pritchard was also a regular at the Coed y Brenin Cafe in Bethesda, spending several hours entertaining staff members with his long list of humorous stories.

During Dr. Hughes' speech, he was quick to remind those in attendance that Mr Pritchard's had also overcome many obstacles during the course of his life.

"He lost his son, Robert 32 two days after Christmas in 2003 and his sister Helen in Autumn of 2013," he explained.

"However, what amazed me about Dafydd was that whenever anyone was going through a tough time, he would be the first person to knock on their door to sympathise with them.

"He had encountered many a problem and obstacle during his life, but he never let it get him down.

"Dafydd was a colourful character who was full of fun and was a truly unique individual that will never disappear from our memories."