Tributes have been paid to a priest who was known by many in Barmouth.

Father James ‘Jimmy’ Langan SJ died at the age of 93 on Friday, 13 December.

Fr Langan was the custodian of the Jesuits House in Llanaber, Barmouth from 1972 to 2007.

Ian Corps, a close friend of Fr Langan, said that he was “a small man with a big heart.”

He said: “He was very helpful and did a lot for the community.

“A very kind-hearted man and there was no-one like him.”

Before he was a priest, Father Langan was an engineer, a skill he used throughout his life, according to Ian.

“He was a very down to earth man, he knew exactly what kind of work needed to be done whether it was plumbing or anything.”

Ian remembers Father Langan’s car was “always loaded with items and gifts for the Jesuit House and the Corps family” when he visited Barmouth.

Aled Corps, Ian’s nephew, wrote a moving tribute to a man he considered a very close family friend.

He said: “I’m very sad and upset to learn today of the passing of one of the nicest, most generous people I’ve ever known.

“As long as I’ve lived, my family have been involved in taking care of the Jesuits House retreat in Llanaber, and as a result, Father James ‘Jimmy’ Langan was a very close family friend.

“I know that Father Langan bought a richness to the lives of many people who were helped by his generosity and kind nature.

“As a family I know that we will be forever grateful to have had him as an important part of our family for so many years.

“Rest in peace dear friend and thank you for everything.”

He added: “I grew up with him around, he was like another grandad.”