Obituaries for October 9 2013

Pembroke

THE death of Mr Martin Mills occurred on April 27 at South Pembs Hospital after losing his fight to cancer.

Martin leaves behind his two sons and their partners Lee, Laura, Phillip and Trudi; his brothers and their wives Bobby and Angela, John and Mary, Freddy; his only sister Elaine and her husband Neil; his grandchildren, nieces and nephews too numerous to mention and his close and loyal friend Ian Coombes as well as many more friends, also too numerous to mention.

The funeral took place at Parc Gwyn Crematorium on May 8.

Mrs E M John Wolfscastle MRS Elizabeth May John died on September 5 aged 94.

Known widely as May, she was born in Spittal Green on June 24, 1919, and was the last survivor of the six children of David and Martha Richards. She moved to The Bankin at Rudbaxton and then aged five, to the village of Wolfscastle, where she was to spend the rest of her long life.

She delighted in her involvement in the village as a lifelong member of Pen-y- Bont Chapel, the Women’s Institute and the Sisterhood.

She remained the head of a close-knit family and was intensely interested and involved to the end with her three grandchildren Julia, Morris and Carina and her seven great grandchildren Matthew, Catrin, Freya, Ava, Harry, Ben and Mali. She leaves Maureen and Michael (daughter and son-in-law); Terence and Susan (son and daughter-in-law). She was predeceased by her late husband Joe John in 1982.

A service was held at Peny- Bont Chapel and was officiated by Rev Geoffrey Eynon.

The bearers were Morris John, Damian Phillips, Simon Brady and Keith John.

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

Mr E J Day

Penally

A SERVICE of thanksgiving for the life of Eric John Day of Caldey View, Penally, took place at St Nicholas’ and St.

Teilo’s Church in his home village. A memorable and moving occasion, celebrating the long, eventful and rewarding life Eric had experienced, it was officiated by Revd Robb Wainwright and Revd Alex Grace. The organist was Mrs Diana Lunn.

Born in Warwickshire in 1921, Eric and his family moved back to Pembrokeshire.

The family lived for some time at Hill House, Princes’ Gate, where Eric’s parents were in service.

It was at this time that Eric took up bee keeping, a hobby which enthralled him throughout his life and which he had still been able to undertake until fairly recently.

He attended Narberth County School and proudly continued his association with the establishment by attendance at the regular reunions held in the area. On leaving school he worked for the local brewery, James Williams, but as soon as he was old enough, joined the RAF after war had broken out.

Eric was a patriotic and brave airman and served much of his time in the Far East, having been seconded to the Special Operations Executive, the forerunner of the Special Air Service. He brought home to Wales many amazing keepsakes and also stories of his experiences and the dangers he faced.

Even at 91 he was able to recall events in great detail and was never more delighted than when he had the chance to regale his five grandsons with tales of his exploits.

Eric met his future wife, Nell, during the war. When they were able to meet during the war years they were enthusiastic ballroom dancers and this love of the waltz and so on stayed with them throughout the 55 years of their marriage. They married in 1947 and their first son, Michael, arrived in October 1948. Eric had now joined the police force, stationed at Pembroke Dock.

After some years in uniform, having once commandeered a double-decker bus to transport a prisoner, he became a detective, after passing his sergeants’ exam. Their second son, Peter, was born in 1951.

He joined the prestigious life assurance company, Sun Life of Canada, and began a successful and rewarding career as a financial consultant.

In recognition of his success with the company, Eric and Nell were flown to head office in Toronto, enjoying a wonderful holiday there and cruising home on the QE2.

He established his own brokerage for general insurance business. By now the family had moved to Penally, the village in which Eric and Nell remained for the rest of their lives. Although Eric’s professional work took up an enormous percentage of his time in those days, he still found time to play badminton for The Penfro team, to enjoy golf, and to keep an immaculate garden. He was a founder member of Pembroke Round Table and later joined the Tenby branch. His generous and positive personality was further displayed in his membership of Castlemartin Masonic Lodge and Tenby Rotary Club. He served as Church Warden in the village church. For a number of years he held the post of Chairman of Penally Parish Council and later, Chairman of the Friends of Penally.

Eric and Nell enjoyed many delightful holidays in Spain.

In his retirement, living at Caldey View, Eric took up shortmat bowls for Penally and Heatherton clubs. He continued his enthusiasm for gardening all his life and took great pleasure in competing in the Penally Horticultural show each August.

Nell passed away in 2002 and Eric continued to fill his time with bees, his garden and his bowls. A variety of small rescue dogs were companions to Eric, latterly his spaniel, Molly. He will be sincerely missed in Penally and in particular by his family. Besides his two sons, Michael and Peter, and their wives, Dinah and Gaye, he leaves grandsons Richard, Robert, Tom, Oliver and James, all of whom were bearers at his funeral. Also left to mourn are grand-daughters in law, Lisa, Elaine and Leah, seven lovely great grand children, his cousin, Joan and friend, Debs.

Donations in lieu of flowers, may be made to the Paul Sartori Foundation c/o Dr Mike Brew, 9, Southlands, Narberth Road, Tenby, SA70 8HU.

The funeral arrangements were undertaken expertly and with dignity by E.C.

Thomas and Son, Funeral Directors, Llanteg.

Wing Commander G Edenbrow MBE

Llawhaden

THE death occurred on August 9 at Castle View Rest Home, Llawhaden of Wing Commander Gerry Edenbrow MBE. He was 89. Originally from Lincolnshire, Surrey, he had lived in Pembrokeshire since 2001.

He was a RAF Officer Navigator then a physical education officer, a director of leisure and recreation in South Yorks then Wandsworth. He was an organiser extraordinaire organising the Pageant of the Horse, Battersea- Bolshoi in the Park, Chelsea Flower Show, Burton Cricket Club Summer Fete. He retired from Wandsworth first in 1992 and then again some years later.

He was a total sportaholic, played football, cricket, tennis, squash and badminton.

He represented the RAF in squash, football and tennis.

Then organised sport, modern pentathlon, show jumping, even scored for Burton Cricket Club well into his 80s. Then watched all sport TV could offer.

He was a lay preacher early in his life, and encouraged and challenged us all in the family including his great grandsons to have caring values and endless energy to expedite them.

He was predeceased by his wife Olive Edenbrow in 2001.

The family left to mourn and principal mourners were Jayne (daughter); Ray, Lucy, Neil, Oliver, Saira, George, James; Roger, Lynne, Tamsin, Amber, Rosie, Hilary, Nick; friends from Houghton and Burton; Burton Cricket Club; Castle View members of staff.

The service was held at Burton Church and was officiated by Marianne Osborne.

The bearers were Ray, Roger, Neil and Oliver. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Tom Newing and Son Ltd, Milford Haven.

Mr N Lowe

Haverfordwest

THE funeral took place at Parc Gwyn Crematorium on September 12 and officiated by Father John Thomas. Nigel died suddenly aged 59.

Nigel was brought up in Glen View, Merlins Bridge, and went to the local secondary school. On leaving school he worked on a farm in Uzmaston, and after a few years worked for the local authority. In the late 70s he went to live in the East End of London and worked on the railway in King’s Cross.

After ten years he returned to where his heart was in Pembrokeshire where he married and went on to have two beautiful and special children John and Hannah.

He worked for Johnny McHugh before he finished due to ill health.

Nigel was better known to everyone as ‘Nacky’, he always loved a bit of banter and making people laugh and smile with his jokes.

He enjoyed fishing with his best friend Renny and having a laugh with Dai Nicholas, John and Larry Edwards.

He was a caring, loving person, animal lover and adored his two cats Molly and Daisy.

The principal mourners and family left to mourn are John (son); Hannah (daughter); Rita and Brian (sister and brother-in-law); Marilyn and Chris (sister and brother- in-law); Mark and Amanda (nephew and wife); Andrew and Gail (nephew and wife); Darren and Scott (nephews); Melissa (niece) plus many more nieces and nephews too numerous to mention.

The bearers at the funeral were Andrew Bar-rington, Darren Barrington, Scott Barrington and Nathan Lowe (nephews).

There were family flowers only with donations in lieu for Bristol Royal Hospital for Children c/o Christopher J Barrington, 33 Glebelands, Johnston, Haverfordwest SA61 3PW.

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

Mrs B Beare

Pennar

MRS Beatrice Beare (known as Sheila) passed away at Withybush Hospital on July 11 after a long illness. Sadly five days later her eldest sister Betty passed away.

Sheila grew up in Pennar, with her mother Elsie and two sisters Betty and Val.

She later married Bill Beare and they went on to have two sons, Tony and Ian.

Sheila worked for many years on the land and as a cleaning supervisor on Texaco.

About 16 years ago Sheila gave up work to care for her mother Elsie, and then for her husband Billy, who passed away in 2001. Sheila enjoyed gardening and her family. Recently Sheila became a great grandmother to baby Oliver.

The family left to mourn and principal mourners are Tony, Hayley, Matthew, Ellin, Sophie and Richard, Ian, Lesley, Jenna, Craig, Leanne, Kirsty and baby Oliver; Val and Pete (sister and brotherin- law); Geordie (brother-inlaw); Mary and Alan (sister -in-law and brother-in-law); Barbara; Ricky and Sylvy (brother-in-law and sister-inlaw) plus too many to mention.

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