A North Wales farmer has died in hospital after contracting coronavirus.
Glyn Herbert Jones, 80, of Bryn Mawr, Northop, died on Monday morning having tested positive for Covid-19.
He was admitted to Ysbyty Glan Clwyd after suffering a minor stroke before being transferred to Holywell Community Hospital.
It is believed he contracted Covid-19 following admission as an initial test was negative.
Married to Frances, Mr Jones took on the family farming business in partnership with brother Charles, with whom he ran a 50-cow dairy enterprise across three holdings in Flintshire.
In 1971 they consolidated the business at Bryn Mawr, installing a new parlour and cubicle shed.
When Charles left to pursue his own interests, Glyn developed the herd until succeeded by son Kevin and wife Ann.
They now run an acclaimed 300-cow herd which, in 2011, was shortlisted for the NMR/RABDF Gold Cup, the sector’s ultimate prize.
Charles said his brother had been a milk producer “at the top of his game”.
“Glyn was a wonderful stockman and it was this that laid the foundations for where the herd is today,” he said.
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“He was a man of few words – he just wanted to get on with the job because he loved it so much.”
As a young farmer, representing Northop YFC, Glyn became a renowned stock judge.
Later he was a regular winner of silverware at Mold market’s Christmas and Easter fatstock sales.
In his dotage he continued visiting the mart with wagons of cattle and calves.
Son Kevin said it was likely his father picked up Covid-19 during the three weeks he spent in hospital.
He had received excellent care and no one was to blame, he said.
Kevin added: “One of my abiding memories of Dad was of him being welded to the seat of his LandRover.
"He never seemed to leave it – my mother would always have to open gates for him!”
For 20 years Glyn and his brother barely spoke but the rift has long since been healed.
Charles, also known as Dennis, went on to open an art shop and gallery in Bridge Street, Chester, followed by the Three Kings Tearooms in the same street.
“We had our differences,” he said. “They seem trivial now.
“The worst part is being unable to comfort each other, his close family.
“We have to try and remember the good times, the contribution he made to our lives.
“For him the suffering is now over.”
As well as son Kevin, Glyn leaves a daughter, Elaine.
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His grandson Richard is now the fifth generation to be involved in the farm business, ensuring his “legacy lives on”, said Charles.
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