Obituaries for March 5 2014

Tenby (formerly of Narberth)

AS REPORTED in a previous issue, the death occurred peacefully on February 3 at Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest, of Mr John Rees Bellamy, of Tenby, formerly of Narberth.

John was the devoted husband of Lily, with whom he shared 64 years of happy married life. He also leaves to mourn Mike and Susan (son and daughter-in-law); Ann and Derek (daughter and sonin- law); grandchildren Joanna and partner Jon, Thomas, Oliver and fiancee Sara, Hannah and fiancée Grant and great grandchildren Meg and Max.

John was born in Henllan, near Llandewi Velfrey in 1924 the youngest son of a gamekeeper.

Growing up in the countryside was to mould his lifestyle, fishing, shooting, love of dogs and later flower baskets and finally stick making.

John and Lily moved to Narberth in 1953 and spent 60 happy years there before downsizing to Tenby in September 2013.

John was a gentle-mannered, easy-going and happygo- lucky person well liked in the town and county. He started work with James John as a driver before moving to the Pembrokeshire District Council where he worked in the Building Maintenance Group for 25 years before retiring in 1986 at the age of 62. John was also an auxiliary fireman for 20 years from 1959-79. Following retirement he took up stick making, the highlight being winning a champions cup at the premier Welsh stick show.

The funeral service at Parc Gwyn Crematorium was conducted by Rev. Elwyn John.

The bearers were Thomas Bellamy, Oliver Simon, Grant Burton and Jon Marshall.

The eulogy was given by his nephew David Bellamy.

There were family flowers only, but donations, for the British Heart Foundation c/o W and M J Rossiter and Sons Ltd, The Old Rectory, The Norton, Tenby, SA70 8AB

Mrs F J Lavis

Formerly of Haverfordwest

A LARGE number of family and friends gathered at St Mary Magdalene Church, Wiston on December 20 2013 to attend the funeral of Fiona Jane Lavis (nee Griffiths) 45.

Fiona passed away suddenly on December 9 at Morriston Hospital Swansea, after a very short illness.

Fiona was the middle child born to Brian and the late Amy Griffiths and sister to Adrian and Neil. Fiona grew up in Slade Lane, Haverfordwest and attended Sir Thomas Picton School, where she showed a flair for Art and Design.

After graduating from Preston university in 1990, with a Degree in Fashion and Textile Design, Fiona returned to Haverfordwest and soon after met her future husband Nigel.

They made homes in Kilgetty and Clarbeston Road and were blessed with four children, Nia, Joy, Carwyn and Iwan.

In 2006 they made another move to Brecon, to be more central to Nigel’s work in Hereford and to their home county of Pembrokeshire.

They were made to feel very welcome in the close knit community of Talyllyn and Fiona found a job that she adored, working in the local special needs school, Ysgol Penmaes.

Fiona was a fun-loving person who was extremely kind and generous to all, she will be greatly missed by all who knew her and will never be forgotten.

The family left to mourn and principal mourners are Nigel (husband); Nia and Joy (daughters), Carwyn and Iwan (sons); Brian Griffiths (father); Adrian and Kaye (brother and partner); Neil and Fiona (brother and sisterin- law); Joan Lavis (motherin- law); John Lavis (brotherin- law), Berian and Lou Lavis (brother-in-law and sister-inlaw); Diane and Simeon (sister- in law and brother-in-law) plus uncles, aunties, cousins, nephews, nieces, friends and colleagues too numerous to mention.

The bearers were Paul Norris, James McQueen, Gwyn Jones and Darrel Lewis.

The service was officiated by the Rev Nicholas Cale and the Ven Alan Jevons. A moving tribute was made by Dave Coombs, assistant head teacher of Ysgol Penmaes, which described the tremendous love and affection that Fiona was afforded by pupils and teachers alike.

There was also a very moving poem read by family friend Miss Danielle Jones and a beautiful Flute Solo performed by Fiona’s close work friend Helen Gwillym.

The funeral arrangements were carried out professionally by Mr Doug Prosser and Son, funeral director of Brecon.

There were family flowers only with donations in lieu for the Welsh Air Ambulance which may still be given to Mr Brian Griffiths, 143 Slade Lane, Haverfordwest, SA61 2HS.

Mrs C M Devlin

Hakin

MRS CHRISTINE May Devlin of Croft Avenue, Hakin, passed away surrounded by her family on Ward 10, Withybush Hospital, on January 6.

She was 63 years old.

Christine was born in the family home in Glebelands, Hakin, on July 31, 1950.

After leaving school Christine worked at CAC Industrial Products until she left to start a family. Christine returned to the factory in the 1990s but retired after a few years due to ill-health.

Her main interests were her family, spending time with her grandchildren and watching soaps.

A caring and lovely person with a warm personality and wicked sense of humour., Christine was highly-regarded and will be sorely missed by her family, friends and neighbours.

Christine was predeceased by her father George Davies (The Boatman) and her younger brother Richard.

The funeral which took place at Parc Gwyn Crematorium on January 15 was led by Mike Ashbridge and there was a poem read by Claire, her daughter.

The family left to mourn and principal mourners are Stephen Devlin and Martin Devlin (sons); Claire and Noel O’Reilly (daughter and sonin- law); Stella Walker, Danny O’Reilly, Luke O’Reilly, Neve O’Reilly (grandchildren); Gwen Davies (mother); Ann Rees (sister); Roger Davies and Marie (brother and partner); Yvonne and John Setterfield (sister and brotherin- law).

The bearers were Stephen and Martin Devlin (sons), Noel O’Reilly (son-in-law) and Mark Setterfield (nephew).

There were family flowers only, donations if so desired to any cancer charity of your choice.

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

Mr R Arran

Neyland

MR ROLAND (Archie) Arran passed away on February 11 at his home in Harbour Close, Neyland. He was 68.

He was educated in Neyland primary and Haverfordwest Secondary modern where he excelled at sport.

Rugby, cricket but in particular football where, under the guidance of the late Colin Whittow and Gordon Rayner, he played in a very successful under-15 side.

Finishing at the final Welsh trial where he lost out to Ronnie Rees (later with Wales and Coventry City) for the left wing position.

Before starting work as an engine cleaner at Neyland Railway station, he played cricket for the local XI in the Ormond cup-winning side of 1961.

He was then encouraged to join the railway by Uncle Tom (Stickie) Davies, who proposed him for the NUR and encouraged him to look out for others and to stick to his principles, he never forgot the lesson.

In 1965 he lost five of his very good friends in a horrific road accident and although deeply saddened by what had happened, felt himself lucky that he had not been involved as there was no room in the car for him so he stayed at home.

Archie became a relief fireman on the first train that went into the old Esso refinery, David Vaughne (Ferry Inn) was driving. In order to gain promotion to full-time fireman several Neyland boys went away to work at bases far and wide. Archie ended up in Wolverhampton and graduated to the footplate as a fireman after he qualified, he fired on the Flying Scotsman among many others.

Living in hostels wasn’t for him so he came home to Neyland, where there were better job opportunities on the new refineries after a couple of years, by that time the railway had closed in Neyland.

Employed firstly as an improver on the steel erection side of construction of tankage on the new Regent refinery (now Valero), he progressed after the training period to gain a ‘full card’.

He worked during the years ahead on many projects locally and while based at home engaged in what was for him, his fondest sporting memories playing for Neyland Rugby Club for several seasons with the Charles, James and Lewis brothers, John Greggain, Alec Mathias and Peter Roberts among other very good Neyland boys.

Archie was known as a character and a comedian with his workmates and could enthral a cabin full of soaking wet fellow workers with his real life true stories, the life and soul of the cabin in harsh times, he was a keen observer of human nature.

Travelling with among others from Neyland the Morris family, Alan Whitford and “Porky Lloyd. His trade took him up and down the country, even The Orkneys and The Shetland Isles.

In the late 70s he met his wife Linda and decided to settle down.They set up home in Neyland and started to raise their family, firstly their daughter Lucinda was born, followed six years later by their daughter Shelley.

Archie moved in occupation again for a third time when he joined the Ministry Of Defence on the range boats based in Pembroke Dock, taking early retirement in 2002.

He retained a keen interest in sport, by then from an armchair in front of the TV rather than being out on the field, though he did turn out for the local team when persuaded to by his brother Brian (the then president) and flirted with cricket during the old pub six-a-side weeks at Neyland.

Roland was seldom seen in a pub other than for high-days and holidays, preferring the company of his family but his fondness for his friends and colleagues endured until the end.

His first grandchild Sophie was born in 2003 followed by a second grandchild, Harry in 2005, he doted on his grandchildren and children and spoilt them whenever he could.

His interests then moved to gardening, he enjoyed immensely the cultivation, caring for and harvesting of his crops and was blessed with green fingers (although he would never admit it).

He also became a lover of the Norfolk broads and enjoyed many a boating holiday there with his family, his daughter Shelley as captain and he as skipper.

In December 2012 he was diagnosed with a particularly aggressive form of cancer, he took the harsh treatment and managed his illness with outstanding bravery with help from Linda and his girls and with fortitude, he maintained his dignity to the end, seldom complaining in spite of being in terrific pain.

A big family man who will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

The funeral was held at the Parc Gwyn Crematorium on February 20 officiated by The Rev Alan Chadwick.

The bearers were Nigel Arran, Stephen Arran, Richard Sutton and Arthur Arran.

The arrangements were by Mr E C Thomas, Zoar Chapel Funeral Home, Llanteg, Narberth, SA67 8QH. Donations if desired to Ward 10 Withybush and Paul Sartori fund will be received by the undertaker