Obituaries, October 8th

Clarbeston Road

The death occurred on August 11th on ward seven at Withybush Hospital of of Arthur Vernon Phillips, of Moorfield Avenue, Clarbeston Road. He was 73, and known as Vernon Blacknuck.

Vernon was born at Mynyddcrwn, Maenclochog, on June 12th, 1935.

He attended school in Maenclochog until he left at 15 and went to work on his parents’ farm. He did various jobs, working at Ivor Rowlands, Clarbeston Road, RDC Council at Fishguard, Thomson’s Laundry atHaven Road, Haverfordwest, and lastly the railway, where he was a trackman until he had to stop due to ill-health.

He was a valued member of the Llysyfran Young Farmers’ Club, being chairman at the commencement of the club when it won the shield.

He was a member of Hen Gospel until it ceased and then joined Wiston Chapel, Clarbeston Road.

He was interested in his family and all aspects of Welsh music. He and his wife Hilary had celebrated 45 years of marriage in June.

The principal mourners were: Hilary (wife); Claire and Anthony (daughter and partner); Edna (sister); Vivienne and Wally, Gwyneth (sisters-in-law); Tracey, Russell and Alexandra, Julian, Melissa and Morgan, Tanya, Janet and Peter, Emyr and Bethan (nieces and nephews) and friends and neighbours too numerous to mention.

Cremation was held at Parc Gwyn, Narberth and was officiated by Rev Geoffrey Eynon. There were family flowers only. The bearers were Anthony Owen, Julian James, Wally Barnes and Glyn Thomas.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Glyn Thomas and Son, Freystrop.

Mrs F. Walker

Pembroke Dock

Frances Walker, of Bush Street, Pembroke Dock, died on September 10th after a short stay at Withybush hospital. She was 76.

She was a housewife and enjoyed gardening and sport. She was predeceased by her husband Dennis Walker.

The family left to mourn were: Chris and Sue, Paul and Jane, Mark and Bridgette, Phil and Maureen (sons and daughter-in-law); Nigel and Stephen (sons); Sandra and Mike (daughter and son-in-law) and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren; Brian (brother) and several nieces, nephews and their partners.

The funeral service took place at St John’s Church on September 16th, followed by interment at Llanion cemetery, and was officiated by Rev Nigel Thomas.

The bearers were Christopher, Paul, Nigel, Stephen, Philip and Mark (sons).

Donations in lieu of flowers for ward ten, Withybush Hospital, may be sent to Graham Thomas, 34 Charles Thomas Avenue, Pembroke Dock, SA72 6UR.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by E. C. Thomas and Son, Pembroke Dock.

Emrhys Davies

Druidstone Cross

Emrhys Hugh Davies, of Cornerways, Druidstone Cross, died on Sunday, August 17th, after a short illness. He was 83.

He was born at Druidstone Cross and lived there all his life. A Pembrokeshire man through and through, he was the son of William and Catherine Davies and brother to the late Elsie and Glyn.

He was a wheelwright and carpenter by trade, having served his apprenticeship with the late Fred Rees, Portfield Gate, starting at the age of 15. Following many years there he worked with Lee Bros Builders and with Preseli District Council as site foreman for 15 years prior to his retirement. During the war years, he served in the Royal Observer Corps in Little Haven.

A quiet man and a keen gardener, he would grow vegetables and flowers, and was always content in his work shed, garden or greenhouse, with Suzy, his corgi, by his side.

Emrhys took on a readymade family following his marriage to Glenys 23 years ago.

The funeral was held at Nolton Haven United Reformed Church, where he had been a life-long member and regular worshipper.

Rev Dr David Owen officiated, assisted by Rev Anne Rendell, with Jeanne Llewellyn at the organ. The church was filled with relatives, friends and neighbours. This was followed by cremation at Parc Gwyn.

The chief mourners were: Glenys (wife); Shirley and Nigel Williams (stepdaughter and husband); Rob and Elaine Owen (stepson and wife); Kathryn and Paddy Wilson; Jenny and Chris Wilson; Julie Owen and Chris Beard; Philip Owen and Siobhan McGee (stepgrandchildren); Charlotte, William and Annabelle Wilson (step-great-grandchildren); Anthony and Pat Thomas (nephew and wife); Laura, Natalie and Adam; Robert Thomas (nephew); Dorothy Davies (sister-in-law); Dorothy and Irwin James, Jim and Thelma Davies (cousins); Eira Owen, Doug and Dilys Smith (brother and sisters-in-law), and many other relatives too numerous to mention.

Richard and Jess Williams (step-grandson and wife) were unable to attend.

The bearers were John Roberts, Andrew Hughes, David Owen and Philip Thomas.

There were family flowers only. Donations for the Paul Sartori Foundation may be sent to Keith Roberts, Haroldstone Tongues, Portfield Gate, Haverford-west, SA62 3LE.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by F. G. Rees and Sons, Portfield Gate.

Mrs V. M. Laffey

Merlins Bridge

The death occurred suddenly on September 30th at her home in St Issells Avenue, Merlins Bridge, of Violet Mary Laffey. She was 85.

She was originally from Swansea and during the war she worked in the land army. After getting married, she brought up a family and did part-time work.

Mrs Laffey was a member of one of the original families that moved to Merlins Bridge from Site seven at Withybush in 1951.

Her interests were family, gardening, and socialising with her friends at Merlins Bridge Pensioners’ Club.

The family left to mourn are: Patrick (husband); Christine and Terry (daughter and son-in-law); Ellen and Brian (daughter and son-in-law); Tracey (daughter); Jason, Justin, Rachel and Vanessa (grandchildren); Hadyn (brother) and other relatives too numerous to mention.

The funeral service was held at Parc Gwyn Crematorium and was officiated by Father McGreal. The bearers were Terry and Brian (sons-in-law) and Hadyn (brother).

There were family flowers only, with donations to the Paul Sartori Foundation.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Roy Folland and Son, Haverfordwest.

Mrs M. Lewis

Fishguard

The funeral service took place on Saturday, September 27th, of Manw Lewis, of Clive Road, Fishguard. Manw died on Monday, September 22nd, at Withybush Hospital.

The funeral service was held at Glandwr Chapel, Llanychaer and was followed by interment in the chapel cemetery. The service was led by Rev D. Carl Williams and Rev John Roberts. The organist was Rhian Evans.

The principal mourners were: Gwilym and Mair (son and daughter-in-law); Lily and John, Glenys and Jack (daughters and sons-in-law); Wendy and Dai, Brenda and Keith, Janet and Simon, Gillian and Richard, (granddaughters and husbands); Huw and Tracey (grandson and wife); Anthony, Oliver, Hayley, Emily, Emyr, Gemma, Darren, Rebecca, Katie, Sophie, Luke, Liam and Celyn (great-grandchildren); Josh and Kyra (great-great-grandchildren) and Nin and Eluned Lewis, (sisters-in-law). Unable to attend were Annie Lewis (sister-in-law), and Maerwen Williams.

The bearers were Gareth Lloyd, John Evans, Gerwyn Owen, Gwyn Rees, Norman Davies and Gwyn Roberts.

Donations for Glandwr Chapel Cemetery Fund may be sent to Gareth Lloyd, Trellan Farm, Llanychaer, Fishguard.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Paul Jenkins and Sons, Fishguard.

Mrs M. E. John

Haverfordwest

The death occurred at Withybush Hospital on September 15th of Martha Ellen John, who was a resident of Torrestin Nursing Home, Tiers Cross. She was 87.

She was originally from Walton West and worked in the farming industry until retiring in 1972. She loved her dogs, her home and the garden.

She was predeceased by her husband Joseph Howard John.

The family left to mourn are: Tony and Pam (son and daughter-in-law); Josephine and Malcom (daughter and son-in-law); Derek and Geraldine (son and daughter-in-law); Connie, William and partner Rebecca, Andrew and Dawn, Matthew and Alisha (grandchildren and partners/wives); Jonathan, Thomas, Maddison, Morgan and Samuel (great-grandchildren), also friends Les and Mark, granddad Gardiner, neighbours and friends.

The funeral service took place at All saints Church, Walton West and was officiated by Father Andrew Johnson.

The bearers were William Lloyd (grandson); Mark Power (family friend); Gerald Gardiner and Gary Power.

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

Mr G. R. Brown

Pembroke

The death occurred of George Brown of Freemans Walk, Pembroke, at Withybush Hospital on September 23rd. He was 63.

Originally from Glasgow, he graduated from the University of Strathclyde and then qualified as an accountant.

After a diverse career working in the south-east, he and his wife, Valerie, moved to Pembroke 14 years ago. He then worked as a consultant to companies around the UK on behalf of venture capitalists.

Although always retaining a love of Scotland, he was exceptionally fond of Pembrokeshire, particularly Angle, where he spent many happy hours with his grandchildren.

He was a trustee of both the Citizens’ Advice Bureau and the Tanyard Youth Club and was a member of South Pembrokeshire Golf Club.

The family left to mourn are: Valerie Brown (wife); Nancy Docherty (sister); Gavin Brown (son); Jacqueline Hitchcott (daughter); Hayley Brown (daughter-in-law); David Hitchcott (son-in-law) and Leigh, Anya, Robyn and Ben (grandchildren).

The funeral was held at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, officiated by Rev Roger Jones.

There were family flowers only, but donations to the British Heart Foundation or Cancer Research may be sent to John Roberts and Son, 51 Bush Street, Pembroke Dock, who carried out the funeral arrangements.

Mr T. Williams

Crundale

Thomas (Tom) Williams, of Elm Park, Crundale, died at Torrestin Care Home on September 5th. He was 85.

Originally from Llwydcoed, Aberdare, he spent his working life at Hodges menswear for more than 40 years. He was manager of the Haverfordwest branch for 17 years, until retiring in 1988.

He also served in the army during the Second World War and took part in the Normandy landings.

He was a keen sports fan, a member of British Legion (Spittal branch), Normandy Veterans (Pembrokeshire Branch), Masonic lodge, Probus and Cylch Cynio.

Tom was a church warden at St Michael’s Church, Rudbaxton, a member of Parochial church council, and the church men’s society.

He was predeceased by his with Kathleen in 1984.

The funeral service was held at St Michaels Church, followed by cremation at Parc Gwyn, Narberth, and was officiated by Canon Geoffrey Gwyther.

The family left to mourn are Tim (son); Liz (daughter-in-law); Marc (grandson); Mathew (grandson).

A large group of relatives and friends attended the two services including representatives of the organisations to which he belonged.

There were family flowers only, with donations to St Michael’s Church and the Paul Sartori Foundation.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Roy Folland and Son, Haverfordwest.

Mrs K. M. Brace

Tenby

The death occurred on September 18th, at Belvedere Residential Home, Tenby of Mrs Kathleen May Brace. She was 96 and formerly of Sageston.

She was originally from Lamphey and her main interests were her home and her family.

She enjoyed going to Carew Luncheon Club and she regularly worshipped at Carew Newton until its closure. She then worshipped at Carew Wesley, where she enjoyed many happy hours among members and friends.

She was predeceased by her husband George Brace in 2002, her daughter Kathleen in 1942 and Howard, her son-in-law, in 1994.

The family left to mourn are: Peggy (daughter); Audrey and John (daughter and son-in-law); Brinley (son); Elsie and Norman (daughter and son-in-law); Mansell and Karen (son and daughter-in-law); Vanessa and Russell, Denzil and Yvonne, Kenric, Lucille and Will, Katrina, Melanie, Michelle, Marcus, Andrew and Sherill (grandchildren and partners); Katie, Zoe, Daniel, Shawnee, Alicia, Sophie, Kane, Kieran, Thomas, Lauren, Leah, Jacob, Christian, Eden, Kelsey, Tia, Aiva, Erin (great-grandchildren), along with relatives and friends too numerous to mention. Unable to attend Russell and Rachel (grandson and wife).

The funeral service was held at Carew Wesley Chapel, followed by cremation at Parc Gwyn.

Rev Alan Jenkins and Rev Hywel Brown officiated, and the organist was Elvina Griffiths.

The bearers were Russell, Denzil, Kenric and Marcus (grandchildren).

Donations for Carew Wesley Chapel may be sent to Stewart Treharne, E. C. Thomas and Son, Archways, Green Plains, Stepaside SA67 8LT, who carried out the funeral arrangements.