Obituaries for June 19th 2013

SHEFFIELD (formerly of Pembroke Dock)

ONE of the most distinguished old boys of Pembroke Dock County School, Dr Leslie Phillips, died at the Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, on May 22nd. He was 97.

Leslie was one of three children of former Pembroke Dock Stationmaster, Alderman William Phillips, of Gwyther Street, who was mayor of Pembroke in 1945 and who led the VE Day celebrations. William’s uncle, also William Phillips, had been mayor of Pembroke in 1904, as was Leslie’s first cousin, Councillor Bryan Phillips, now of Buttermilk Close, Pembroke, in 1979.

Leslie’s family home in Gwyther Street was destroyed by a bomb during the blitz in 1940. His father William was away on ARP duties and Leslie’s mother Catherine and sister Evelyn were at home and survived having sheltered ‘under the stairs’ as was the wartime practice.

Leslie graduated from Exeter University in chemistry and had a long career as a research chemist with the Ministry of Defence serving at Woolwich Arsenal, Washington DC (with the British Joint Services Mission 1950-1953), the Propellants, Explosives and Rocket Motors Establishment at Waltham Abbey and finally at the Ministry of Defence in London.

Dr Phillips enjoyed a world-wide reputation as a research chemist being awarded the degrees of PhD in 1949 and DSc in 1970 for his research work with the Ministry of Defence. He was also a Chartered Chemist and a Fellow of the Royal Institute of Chemistry. He retired in 1980 and latterly lived in Sheffield.

Leslie’s sister Evelyn, who lives at Caversham near Reading, served in the WRNS during the war and his brother, the late Dr Geoffrey Phillips, also an Exeter University alumnus, had a distinguished career in the government service.

Leslie was a member of the well-known Phillips family of Pennar. He married Nina in London in 1941 and they had three daughters, Wendy, Mary and Alison.

Nina died in 1957 and Leslie later married Lilian Dyke, formerly of Lewis Street, Pembroke Dock.

In retirement Dr Phillips and his partner Rene delighted in ballroom dancing and he was a keen bridge player. Dr Phillips always regarded Pembroke Dock as home and he and Rene enjoyed annual holidays in Penally.

Leslie Phillips was a remarkable man, generous and kind, very proud of his Pembroke Dock heritage, who will be greatly missed both by his family and a wide circle of friends.

 

MRS A. J. EDMONDS

TIERS CROSS

ALVINE Jane Edmonds died on May 28th, at The Heath Hospital, Cardiff. She was 74.

Alvine was born and brought up on the family farm near Tiers Cross, and attended Walwyn’s Castle primary and Haverfordwest schools before going to work in T. P. Hughes for many years until the first of her two sons was born.

Alvine was very much a family person and was incredibly proud of her children and especially her grandchildren, collecting them from school several times a week for many years.

She was well known in the local area and loved to swap family stories and conversations with her many friends.

She married David at Tiers Cross United Reformed Church in 1960 and after a short time living in Haverfordwest, they moved back to near Tiers Cross.

The funeral service took place on June 6th at Tiers Cross Church followed by interment at Tiers Cross Cemetery, where there was a large gathering of family, friends and neighbours.

A poem was read out by her daughter-in-law and grandson during the service.

The service was officiated by the local minister Martin Spain with added words from Martin Evans, who unfortunately was unable to attend. The organist was Kathleen Cole.

Principal mourners were: David Edmonds (husband); John Edmonds, Paul and Anwen Edmonds (sons and daughter-in-law); Tomos and Lloyd Edmonds (grandchildren); Brenda Morgan (sister); Christopher, Jason and Rachel Morgan (nephews and wife) as well as Eddie Rowe (brother-in-law); Anne and Carol (nieces) and all the family from Swansea.

Many family members and friends too numerous to mention were also in attendance.

The bearers were Derek Davies, John James, Kevin James and Peter Williams (family friends).

There were family flowers only, with donations in lieu for the Wales Air Ambulance being sent to Wales Air Ambulance, Ty Elusen, Bay Studios Business Park, Fabian Way, Swansea.

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

 

MR R. JONES

PEMBROKE DOCK

ROBERT Jones died on May 20th at Withybush Hospital after a short illness. He was 53.

The funeral was held on May 31st at St John’s Church, Pembroke Dock.

He worked for a number of years at Silcox Motor Coaches as a coach driver, which was his life.

He also enjoyed many hobbies and he loved walking the dog. He was a caring and loving husband who will be sorely missed.

The funeral service was officiated by Rev Paul Nash followed by interment at Llanion Cemetery.

Left to mourn are: Margaret (wife); Stephen and Hollie (stepson and (grandsons); Alison (sister); Alan and Cheryl (brother-inlaw and partner) along with numerous family and friends.

The bearers were Chris Reynolds, Dick Picton, John Williams, Kenny Nicholas, Bob Sawyer and Stephen Woods.

There were family flowers only, but donations can be made to the ACDU at Withybush Hospital.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by John Roberts and Son, Pembroke Dock.

 

MRS J. D. GARDNER

PEMBROKE

THE death occurred of Jean Dorothy Gardner (Jean the Valley) on May 15th after a short illness. She was 71.

Family left to mourn are: David (husband) and their four children, Juliette, Sean, Gareth and Jennifer.

Jean was born and brought up on the Valley Farm in Amroth before moving to Pembroke Dock where she ran a guest house for many years in Water Street, before retiring to Pembroke.

A service celebrating her life was held in St Mary’s Church, officiated by Father Patrick, before her final committal at Parc Gwyn.

There were family flowers only, with donations to the Paul Sartori Foundation being received by John Roberts and Sons, 51 Bush Street, Pembroke Dock, who also carried out the funeral arrangements.

 

MRS O. THOMAS

LLANDISSILIO

THE death occurred at Blaenmarlais Care Home on May 30th of Olwen Thomas, aged 93.

The funeral took place on June 10th at Blaenconin Chapel Llandissilio and Parc Gwyn. Rev Huw George officiated.

Originally from Llawhaden, Olwen was born in 1919, the daughter of Evan and Miriam Davies. She lived at Tynewydd Farm, Bethesda, from birth and she farmed there with her husband John until 1984 when they retired to Llandissilio, where he died in 2006.

Throughout her life she had many interests including Bethesda Chapel, Llawhaden WI, local choirs and the large extended family.

The bearers were Andrew (son), Rhys and Iestyn (grandsons) and Philip (nephew).

Family left to mourn and principal mourners are: Andrew and Kath (son and daughter-in-law); Rhys, Louise, Iestyn, Lisa (grandsons and wives) Samuel (great grandson) and many other relations and friends.

There were immediate family flowers only, with donations for Paul Sartori Foundation being received by Ken Davies and Sons, Clynderwen, who also carried out the funeral arrangements.

 

MR J. A. A. BAIN

MILFORD HAVEN

THE death occurred at home in St Lawrence Avenue, Hakin, Milford Haven, of John Allen Aiken Bain (Jock) on June 7th. He was 79.

Originally from Edinburgh, he was in the RAF and was stationed at RAF Foley Roch, then a Gulf employee and a contract security guard.

His interests included football, darts, horses and most other sports, also gardening.

Family left to mourn and principal mourners were: Beryl Bain (wife); Gordon and Joanne (son and daughter- in-law); Gillian (daughter); Kimberley (granddaughter); Brennig and Bobi (grandsons); Nancy and Helen (sisters, Scotland); Barbara and Brinley (sisterin- law and brother-in-law).

The service was held at Parc Gwyn on June 13th.

There were family flowers only, with donations in lieu for the Paul Sartori Foundation, 31 Haven Road, Haverfordwest.

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

 

MR J. J. SHEEHAN

PEMBROKE

JOHN Joseph Sheehan died at his home in Middle Row, Golden Hill, Pembroke, on May 21st. He was 91.

Originally from Enniscorthy, he was a retired labourer. His main interests were his love for his family and Irish and country music, also the Catholic Church.

Family left to mourn and principal mourners are: Kathy and Davy, Audrey and Jeff, Trisha and Patrick, Jenny and Ian, Tracy and Dietmar (daughters); Edward and Angie, Dai and Margaret, Michael and Valerie, Danny and Kevin (sons); plus numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

The service was held at St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church followed by interment at Llanion Cemetery, and was officiated by Father Patrick.

The bearers were David, Andrew, Daryl, Michael (grandsons), John and Kevin (nephews).

The funeral arrangements were carried out by E. C.

Thomas and Son, Pembroke Dock.

 

MRS D. G. MARCHANT

MILFORD HAVEN

IN the obituary in last week’s Western Telegraph the following names were omitted: Lowrie, Ieuan, Emily and Alice (great grandchildren), also Marion Middlemiss (sister-in-law).

The Western Telegraph apologises for this error.

 

MR H. R. MATHIAS

HAVERFORDWEST

HYWEL Roy Mathias, of Snowdrop Close, Haverfordwest died at his home on May 19th. He was 73.

He was originally from Llanfrynach, and was the eldest son of the late Tommy and Peggy Mathias.

Roy started his working life on a local farm Llwyncelyn Isaf, and then went to work as a lorry driver for Mansel Davies and Son, retiring 40 years later on his 65th birthday. He was a hard-working man and well thought of by his employers and colleagues.

Roy was a keen gardener and also enjoyed watching rugby and cricket. He was a supporter of Glamorgan Cricket Club.

Roy attended St Thomas’ Church until it closed in 2012. Last August, Roy raised £600 when he and his sister-in-law Lynette completed a sponsored walk in aid of St Thomas’ Church.

Family left to mourn and principal mourners are: Jean (wife); Iona and Verdi, Nia and Wyn (daughters and son-in-law); Eleri and Phil (daughter and partner); Gareth, Dylan, Geraint and Celt (grandsons); Catrin (granddaughter); Alan and Gwenda (brother and wife); Ann and Keri (sister and brother-in-law); Jeff and Lynette (brother and sisterin- law); Elaine, Emma, Sara, Daniel and Lisa (nieces and nephew) with partners; George, Harry and Madeleine (great nephews and nieces); plus family, friends and former work colleagues.

Unable to attend were Tony, Colleen and Anthony, Australia (brother, sister-inlaw and son); Sian and family (niece); Kim and Jade (niece and daughter); Aunty Grace and Mari James.

The funeral service took place at Parc Gwyn and was officiated by Rev Father Paul Mackness and Rev Emyr Wyn Thomas. The bearers were his four grandsons.

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

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

 

MRS V. L. DERBYSHIRE

MILFORD HAVEN

THE death occurred at Withybush Hospital on May 14th of Violet Lillian Derbyshire, of Skomer Drive, Milford Haven.

Originally from Milford Haven, sheworked at the Mine Depot making timing mechanisms for bombs, and in the navy stores. She worked at the Socotron Factory until she retired in 1983 aged 60.

She loved dancing, listening to the radio, knitting and crocheting and her family.

She was predeceased by her husband Peter. Family left to mourn and principal mourners are: Peter and Barbara Derbyshire (son and daughter-in-law); Claire and Phillip Hart (granddaughter); Lisa and Bill Ridge (granddaughter); Lewys, Eve and Ellie (great grandchildren).

The service was held at Parc Gwyn and was officiated by Dr Martin Evans.

There were family flowers only, with donations in lieu to Withybush Hospital.

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

 

MR G. O. JONES

HAVERFORDWEST

THE death occurred at Withybush Hospital on May 28th of Glyn Owen Jones. He was 72 and members of his family were at his side.

The funeral took place on June 5th at Parc Gwyn.

Glyn was born in Hayscastle, and later moved to Camrose where he grew up. He married his wife Jean in 1961 and spent most of his working life as an engineer with British Telecom.

Family left to mourn and principal mourners were: Jean (wife); David (brother); Brenda and Christine (sisters).

The bearers were Billy Yabsley, David Mabe, Terry Richards and Rod England.

There were family flowers only, with donations in lieu for ward ten and Macmillan Nurses.

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

 

MRS M. ISHERWOOD

HAVERFORDWEST

MOLLY Isherwood died on March 13th at her home in Hawthorn Rise, Haverfordwest.

She was born in Hakin, Milford Haven, in 1915 to Hans and Elizabeth Tyvold and spent her early years there. The family moved to Haverfordwest when Molly was 10 and her father died two years later. She was a pupil at Taskers High School, went on to Aberystwyth University to study agricultural botany and also took a diploma in dairying.

When she returned to Haverfordwest she worked at the milk factory in Merlins Bridge, where she met her husband Alan.

They were married for 45 happy years and had two children, Helen and Paul.

After living in the Rhondda Valley and in the Midlands, the couple retired back to Haverfordwest where they joined the bowling club. Alan died in 1987, but Molly continued her interest in bowling and in the Women’s Institute which she had joined as a young woman. Molly took great delight in her seven grandchildren and her 11 greatgrandchildren.

The well-attended funeral was held at Parc Gwyn on March 26th and was officiated by the Very Rev Jonathan Lean, Dean of St Davids.

The chief mourners were: Paul and Janet Isherwood (son and daughter-in-law); Helen and Norman Silverstone (daughter and son-in-law) and their families.

The bearers were Molly’s six grandsons, Matthew, James and Stephen Isherwood and William, Daniel and Benjamin Silverstone. Her granddaughter, Brigid Rees, followed the coffin and placed a small posy of snowdrops on it, alongside the spray of family flowers.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Bernard Mathias of St Davids.

 

MRS D. M. BEVAN

TIERS CROSS

THE funeral took place on June 3rd of Dorothy Megan Bevan, who died at Torestin Residential Home on May 23rd. She was 92.

The service was held at Parc Gwyn and was officiated by Rev Martyn Evans.

Dorothy and her husband John kept the shop and post office in Tiers Cross for many years before retiring to Haverfordwest. She was predeceased by her husband in 1994.

Dorothy was a dear mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

Family left to mourn and principal mourners are: Kenneth and Shirley (son and daughter-in-law); Linda and Keith (daughter and son-in-law); Nigel, Christopher and Jonathan (grandchildren); Julie and Zoe (granddaughter-in-law); Hannah, Elis and Erin (great grandchildren).

There were family flowers only, with donations to Pembrokeshire Crossroads Caring for Carers, 5 Dark Street, Haverfordwest.

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

 

MR J. NICHOLAS

CAREW

JIM Nicholas, of Kesteven Court, Carew, died at Withybush Hospital on May 25th. He was 92.

Originally from Llanfallteg, he was a long distance lorry driver and more recently a plant operator. He retired at the age of 72.

His interests included gardening, gardening, his family and attending Pembroke leisure centre weekly for the cardiac group. He was also an active member of Capel Mair, Llanfallteg.

Family left to mourn and principal mourners are: Sylvia Nicholas (wife); Graham and Michael Nicholas (sons); Liz Nicholas (daughter); Stephanie and Janet Nicholas (daughtersin- law); Robert, Emma, Ben, Sam and Adam (grandchildren); Cohen (great grandson) plus other family members too numerous to mention.

The funeral service was held at Parc Gwyn and was officiated by Rev Hywel Brown and Llinos Edwards.

The bearers were his grandsons.

There were family flowers only, with donations to Wales Air Ambulance to Graham Thomas, 34 Charles Thomas Avenue, Pembroke Dock.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by E. C.

Thomas and Son, Llanteg.

 

MRS B. MANWARING

HAVERFORDWEST

THE death occurred on ward ten at Withybush Hospital of Brenda Manwaring, of Prendergast, Haverfordwest on May 29th. She was 76.

Originally from Milford Haven, she was a dinner lady/clerk at Prendergast Junior School for many years until her retirement.

Her main interests were her family, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Before the death of her husband Bryan in 2007, the couple enjoyed dancing at the Balfour Club, Haverfordwest and indoor bowling in Merlins Bridge for the Welfare Club.

Family left to mourn and principal mourners are: Terry Manwaring, Gill Irving and Paul Manwaring (sons and daughter); Gemma and Gary Tawn, Clare and Gavin Hughes, Ellie and Christopher James (granddaughters and husbands); Freda and Neil Smith (sister and husband); Morgan and Leon Manwaring, Charlotte and Luke Manwaring (grandchildren); Isabella and Alexa Tawn, Megan Hughes, Lydia Manwaring (great grandchildren); Gordon and Doreen Manwaring.

The service was held at St Davids Church, Prendergast, followed by cremation at Parc Gwyn. It was officiated by Canon Geoffrey Gwyther and the bearers were Christopher James, Luke Manwaring, Morgan Man-waring and Gavin Hughes.

There were family flowers only, with donations for Cancer Research UK to Margaret Jones, 113 Waterloo Road, Hakin, Milford Haven.

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

 

MR T. A. JAMES

WELSH HOOK

THOMAS Arthur James died at Withybush Hospital on May 11th. He was 79.

Arthur was born to Gwilym and Martha Jane James, at Wernlwyd Farm, Wolfscastle. He had four sisters Amy (deceased), Haulwen, Mary and Sheila.

He was married to Margaret; and father to Terry, Peter, Paul and Shan; grandfather to Mark, Sarah, Daniel, Jonathon, Catrin, Elizabeth, Ella-Sioned, Aled and Owain; and great grandfather to Kian.

After his marriage to Margaret, they moved to Welsh Hook where he set up his business and was later joined by his two sons Peter and Paul. He was a self taught engineer, and was well known throughout the county.

The funeral took place on May 20th at Parc Gwyn and was officiated by Rev William Owen, assisted by Rev Mike Rowlands.

The bearers were Mark Pickering, Daniel James, Jonathon James (grandsons) and Eric George (nephew).

Marie Henton (niece) sang and Terry James (son) read a psalm.

There were family flowers only, with donations in lieu for Bethel Chapel, Ambleston, being received by Paul Jenkins and Sons, Feidr Castell, Fishguard, who also carried out the funeral arrangements.