Family, friends, and former colleagues will raise a glass this week in memory of Pat Kelly, an Abbots Langley gas fitter whose rich Irish brogue, sharp wit and hearty laugh was a familiar feature in the district’s pubs and clubs for more than 40 years.

Pat was born in County Laois in Ireland one of nine children. Life was tough as he lost his father at an early age, but this was made up for by his mother "Maggie", a tower of strength, who said it was only her prayers that kept him out of trouble.

He left Ireland in his early teens - he would never reveal his true age - and he came to England and eventually settled in Watford where he later married Nora. He set about finding work, while they made their home in High Acres, Abbots Langley, where they had three children, David, Karen and John.

Pat stayed close to his family and to this day their Abbots Langley home is at the heart of it.

He went on to have another son, Shane, and later six grandchildren, Bo-dee, Blaine, Kayleigh, Dean, Sian and Jodie. Kayleigh also gave him a great grandson, Teddy Patrick.

Pat kept in close contact with family in Ireland and made regular visits back to see his mum and his brothers and sisters, Billy, May, Olive, Trish, Phil, Josie, Eilish and Joe.

In Ireland they often spoke about London’s streets being paved with gold, but for Pat they were piped with gas.

He worked hard to develop his career and during family trips out, he would often proclaim proudly "I put the gas in there". When his dear friend Jacqui Harris planned a trip to Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London, the proclamation came yet again: "I put the gas in there too".

Pat had a great sense of humour and a twinkle in his eye that made time with him infectious. He also delivered one-liners that left those about him rolling in laughter.

His best friend Joe, worked with him for many years, spoke fondly of Pat’s reputation for giving people nicknames. One man they knew often wore a long black trench coat, he was called "the undertaker" another delivered gas cookers and he was known as "the cooker shifter", another who always caused problems, was given the moniker "nightmare".

Joe recalled one sunny day at work when Pat was operating a digger. A wasp flew up the leg of his shorts and stung him "where the sun don’t shine". In pain, Pat struck out and accidentally hit the lever that swung the arm of the digger. It missed Joe’s head by a whisker as he stood in the trench.

Pat often recalled that event and it made him shudder, knowing how close he came to killing his best friend.

Pat loved people and at every opportunity he would get out for a pint to catch up with friends and family and have the "craic". Among his favourite venues were Watford Irish Centre, the Holyrood Club, Dunning’s Bar (previously The Stag), and the Estcourt Arms.

He played the accordion, the tin whistle and the "pennies", all self-taught. Family said he could get a tune out of anything.

Above all his family was his life, and in particular he was grateful to his daughter, Karen, for bringing him back to the family home in Abbots Langley to ensure he was safe, comfortable and cared for in his last days.

He passed away peacefully, on Thursday, April 16.

Pat was supported by a Macmillan Nurse in his final days and the family ask that donations are made to that charity as a gesture of appreciation for the care he was afforded.

The funeral service will be held at Holyrood Church, Exchange Road, at noon on Friday (May 1) followed by interment at North Watford Cemetery and a celebration of his life at Dunning’s Bar in St Albans Road.