Mr Colin Rees

Walwyns Castle

MR COLIN Rees of Rosewood, Walwyns Castle passed away peacefully at home on March 21, aged 66.

Colin was born at Moor Farm, Walwyns Castle where he farmed for all his life.

He attended Milford Haven Grammar school, leaving at 16 to work on the family farm.

He was an active member of Tiers Cross YFC, representing the club at County and National level for Stock Judging and also served as chairman of the club. It was whilst on a YFC farm visit he met Jean and they married in 1976 and had three children Vanessa, Rachael and Andrew.

He enjoyed his 14 years as an active member of Milford Haven Round Table and served as chair.

In addition, he was a keen shooter and spent many enjoyable seasons with St Brides Shoot and latterly Norchard Shoot where he had one of his best days shooting at his last outing on November 30 2017.

He lived and worked in Walwyns Castle all of his life and was an integral part of Walwyns Castle Community Council and the Village Hall Committee for many years.

Colin was well known and respected in the local farming community, and the wider county which was demonstrated by the large attendance at his funeral and wake.

The family were grateful to all those who attended.

During his short illness, both Colin and the family received excellent care and support from Paul Sartori (Hospice at home), for which the family will be forever grateful.

The family left to mourn are Jean (wife); Vanessa and Brett, Rachael and Steve (daughters and son-in-laws); Andrew and Victoria (son and daughter-in-law); Dilys and Haydn, Christine and Jim (sisters and brother-in-laws); Orla, Rhys, Catrin, Florence, Harry and Meredith (grandchildren), and also nephews, nieces and their families.

The bearers were Robert and Paul Vaughan, Jason Llewellin, Colin Rogers, Peter and Michael Williams.

Mr Chris Davies, Firstone House, Walwyns Castle collected the donations, which will be split between St James’ Church, Walwyns Castle and Paul Sartori (Hospice at Home).

The funeral arrangements were carried out professionally and with dignity by Andrew Rees (F G Rees and Son Funeral Directors, Haverfordwest.

Mr M Thomas

Haverfordwest

MR MALDWYN Thomas, of Dunsany Park, Haverfordwest passed away on March 6 at Fairfield Nursing Home, Johnston.

He was 89.

As a native of Haverfordwest, he had always wanted to teach. His first job was in Bromley, then two appointments in Worcs, where he became a deputy headmaster and subsequently the head-ship of Hakin CPJM School, Pembrokeshire from 1964-1988.

He retired in July 1988 when he was headmaster of Hakin CPJM School, teacher training at Trinity College, Carmarthen.

He served his National Service in the RAF at head quarters of RAF Chaplaincy at Dowdswell Court, Gloucs.

His main interests where being a choir member of Dyfed Choir and Cantorion Ty Dewi. He was secretary of Haverfordwest Civic Society, a member of Haverfordwest Arts Club and Hakin Garden Club, Burgess of the Court of the Guild of Freeman of Haverfordwest.

Maldwyn was highly esteemed in his professional life and had many close friends and a loving close family.

He was a lifelong member and elder of Ebenezer Presbyterian Church, Haverfordwest for 50 years.

The family left to mourn and principal mourners are Mrs Joyce Thomas (sister-in-law); and three nephews, sons of his late brother Mr John Keith Thomas; nephews Rowland Thomas, Huw Thomas and Wyn Thomas, also his relatives, his chapel members and many friends from the clubs, choirs and societies that he was involved with.

The funeral service was held at Ebenezer Presbyterian Church on Friday March 16 followed by interment at Millin Chapel, The Rhos.

It was officiated by the Rev Jonathan Kirk assisted by the Rev Martin Evans.

The bearers were Andrew Grey and Michael Danzey.

There were family flowers only with donations in lieu to Prostate Cymru and Ward 12 Withybush Hospital.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Tom Newing and Sons Ltd, Milford Haven.

Mrs M Johnson

Dale

A LIFE-LONG resident of Dale died peacefully in Withybush Hospital on Saturday March 17 aged 97 following a fall at home.

Marjorie Margaret Delia Johnson, nee Sturley, widow of the late Sydney Johnson was from an old Dale family who loved her family and village and took an active part in the village all her life.

She met Sydney during the war when he was posted to Dale and they married in Dale Church in March 1946.

Before her marriage she worked at Dale Nurseries, enjoying her time both indoors in the tomato and cucumber houses but also outdoors with vegetables and flowers – a passion which continued throughout her life.

Marjorie devoted her life to caring for family and friends. She was an active member of the church, WI and supported many other activities like fetes and other village functions – enjoying a game of whist and joining friends at the Welcome Club in Marloes until health prevented her attendance.

Liking nothing more than spending time with her family and friends, recalling happy memories and sharing old village stories – laughter was always an element of any gathering with her.

Her sense of humour was infectious and she was much loved by children, grandchildren.

She leaves Heather and Peter, Gillian and Colin, Pamela and Peter (daughters and sons-in-law); Mary (and Ryan), Dawn and Alastair (grandchildren) and Noah, Ava, Freya and Chester (great grandchildren).

Unable to attend was her niece Valerie.

She also leaves many other family members, too numerous to mention.

The esteem in which Marjorie was held was evident in the large congregation at St James’ Church, Dale for her funeral on Wednesday March 28 and again later at her cremation at Parc Gwyn.

Granddaughters Dawn and Mary each read a poem at the service which were officiated by Rev Gaynor Ford and Fr Andrew Johnson.

The organist at the church was Paul James and the bearers, all from the village were Peter Dando, Anthony Ramsay, Graham Reynolds, and Michael Warlow.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by FG Rees and Sons, Portfield Gate, Haverfordwest. There were family flowers only, but donations in lieu were for Dale Church Roof Fund and Dale Cemetery Fund, c/o Colin Llewellyn, Hill Cottage, Dale, Haverfordwest SA62 3QZ.

Mr W G Nicholas

Narberth

MR WILLIAM Glyndwr Nicholas of Station Road, Narberth passed away at Ridgeway Care Home on March 18.

He was 83.

He left school at 14 years to work on local farms, one of these being ‘Three Wells’ where he met his wife-to-be, Noela Bevan.

They married in 1957 and he then went on to work for Narberth R.D.C. which later amalgamated with Welsh Water.

He was also a retained firefighter, for which he received the Fire Service ‘Long Service and Good Conduct’ Medal.

He took early retirement from the Water Board and went to work as a porter at South Pembs Hospital, before retiring in 1999.

Glyndwr’s main interest was his family.

Glyndwr also took great pride in his vegetable garden and greenhouse which he later turned into a lawn and fishpond for his grandchildren Haley, Geraint, Emily and Ceri to play. He was always happy to go out and try and make a fool of these happy smiling faces around him.

The family left to mourn are Noella (wife); Gareth and Diane (son and daughter); Sue and Stephen (daughter-in-law and son-in-law); Haley, Geraint, Emily and Ceri (grandchildren); Ruth (Bevan) and Margaret (Hughes) (sisters-in-law).

Unable to attend were Mair (Smith) (sister) and Roy (Pearce) (brother-in-law).

The funeral service was held at Parc Gwyn Crematorium on March 29.

The funeral cortege was met at the gate by the colour party of Mid and West Wales Fire Brigade who remembered a former colleague by bearing and lowering the standard in his honour.

Officiating at the funeral was Mr Stewart Treharne.

The bearers were Roy Bevan, Reg Bevan, Howard Bevan, Geraint Nicholas, Matthew John, Dai Howells.

Donations if so desired for Ridgeway Care Home Residents Fund and First Response Team, Narberth which may be sent c/o E.C. Thomas & Son, Zoar Chapel Funeral Home, Llanteg, Narberth SA67 8QH who also carried out the funeral arrangements.

Mr M J Gillard

Pembroke

MR MICHAEL John Gillard (affectionately known as Mike) of Whitehall Avenue, Pembroke passed away on March 23 at his home.

He was 77.

Originally from Reading, Berkshire, Mike worked his apprenticeship at Early Power Station, he moved on several years later.

His work always included welding and he went onto specialising work consisting of medical joints and cameras. Mike then worked for Donald Campbell (who was one of the firm`s directors) on his boat, The Bluebird.

On moving to Wales in 1970, he started work at the Pembroke Power Station.

Mike took early retirement from there after 20 years, then enjoyed five years of driving the bus for the ITEC Unit run by Pembrokeshire County Council.

His main interests were Pembroke Dock Bowling Club, his family, and spending many hours gardening and fishing.

The family left to mourn are Doris (wife); Richard (son); Claire and Paul (daughter and son-in-law); Liam, Matthew, Michael and Jacob (grandsons).

The funeral service was held at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, in Narberth on April 5 and it was officiated by Rev Huw George.

Donations for Pembrokeshire Renal Unit, Withybush Hospital and Pembrokeshire Parkinson`s Group c/o E.C. Thomas & Son, Funeral Directors, 21 Main Street, Pembroke, SA71 4JS who also carried out the funeral arrangements.