A FAMILY has paid tribute to the “selfless” but prolific voluntary work of a much loved husband, dad and grandad following his sudden death.

John Kight, 66, was originally from Preston, moved to Rossett with his wife Joyce more than 30 years ago because of his job, which at the time was working as a mechanic for Shell.

He died unexpectedly at his home on Saturday, February 2.

Mrs Kight, 65, said her husband, who she has been married to for 43 years, was “a good Christian man” who just wanted to do his bit by helping people worse off than himself.

Although he had to retire early following a major operation several years ago, he had used the time he had since in a “selfless” way by becoming even more involved in worthwhile causes.

She said: “He started off working for the Samaritans and he seemed to really enjoy that, because I think deep down he was a probably a frustrated social worker, but I suppose they didn’t have that sort of education on offer in those days.

“We are very fortunate to have what we have and John felt very much blessed because of that and his voluntary work was just his way of giving a little something back.”

Mr Kight’s voluntary work progressed to being involved in setting up the Operation Christmas Child mission in Wrexham, which resulted in him being part of the road convoy taking thousands of donated shoeboxes to the orphaned children of Romania, where his skills as a mechanic came in very handy.

Mrs Kight added: “The boxes were all made up by the people of Wrexham and they were donated in their droves and included things like medical supplies from the Maelor. It felt very much like the community coming together to help and he was proud to be involved in that.”

Although described as having a “wacky” sense of humour and “a quick northern wit”, his family say he will be remembered for being “an encourager” who would always go out of his way for people, but never with the thought or expectation of getting any personal recognition.

Mrs Kight said: “He had a heart for the homeless and a passion to help them and was down at the Salvation Army every Thursday to cook them breakfast, was at the homeless hub every Friday and was on a rota to feed them of a Saturday night.

“He wasn’t always in the best of health, but he would always make an effort to go because he thought he was making a difference.”

Mr Kight, who had two children, Simon and Matthew, as well as six grandchildren and one great grandchild, was also involved in a holiday hunger project, which ensured schoolchildren living in food poverty were given a meal every day.

Mrs Kight said: “There’s a lot of good things going on in Wrexham and it’s important people know about the things that go on out of sight.”

Due to the sudden nature of Mr Kight’s death, the family are waiting for the results of a post mortem before funeral arrangements can be made, but the service will take place at the Salvation Army Church on Garden Road, because it was a place that was very much his spiritual home and close to his heart.