Obituaries for April 23 2014

Penally

MR WILLIAM Benjamin James (Billy) passed away peacefully at his home in Holloway Court, Penally on February 26.

He worked at Lydstep Home Farm and Lydstep Caravan Park.

His main interests were his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, plus his garden.

He was predeceased by his wife, Mrs Violet James.

The family left to mourn and principal mourners are Donna and Ralph (daughter and son-in-law); Danny and Jo (son and daughter-in-law); Stephen and Abbie (grandson and wife); Shane and Roxy (grandson and fiancée); Naiomi-Page and Kyle (greatgrandchildren), plus family too numerous to mention).

The service took place at Penally Church and was officiated by Rev Alex George.

The bearers were Stephen and Shane (grandsons); David Barton (nephew); Danny Brown, Ian Fowler, David Edwards (family friends).

Donations for Macmillan cancer support may be sent to E C Thomas and Son, Zoar Chapel Funeral Home, Llanteg, Narberth, who also carried out the funeral arrangements.

 

TRIBUTE Father Stephen (Geoffrey Xavier Peate) 1924 - 2014

 

CALDEY was at a low ebb when Geoffrey Peate, a young Yorkshireman, joined the community in 1948. It had only nine members. Since the foundation from Scourmont in 1929, only one British recruit had persevered, the legendary Brother Thomas Moore.

A convert to the faith, the future Father Stephen served in the air force and was confirmed in Calcutta. When he entered Caldey on October 4 1948, it took months for his confirmation certificate to arrive, Fr Stephen made his junior profession on June 17 1951, his Solemn Profession in June 1955, and was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop John Edward Petit of Menevia on March 23 1956.

From 1956 to 1958, Father Stephen studied theology at the Gregorian University in Rome.

When Brother Thomas Moore died unexpectedly in 1966, Father Stephen was left as Procurator for the next 32 years. He was now at the heart of the island’s economic life, with the continuing prosperity of the perfume business and the expansion of the tourist industry.

When Dom James Wicksteed resigned his abbacy in 1980, Fr Robert O’Brien was appointed Superior, who, after he was elected Abbot four years later, appointed Father Stephen as Prior in 1984. He remained in this post for almost 15 years.

These are the facts. But to describe the man, the monk and the person of Father Stephen is something that requires so much more. He was a man of a very few words, although, during the last days of his life he felt more free to express his thoughts and feelings verbally. There is a line in the Book of the Psalms that may sum up the essence of Father Stephen’s life, and the way he tended to think about life in all its ambiguities.

It is the line where the Psalm speaks about God: ‘He who sits in the heavens, He laughs’ (Psalm 2:4). For Father Stephen, the real life, and the essence of the real life is necessarily connected with the Kingdom of Heaven, there has to be laughter.

No doubt, this conviction must have had its origins in the fact that his early life was exposed to violence and danger during his service in the RAF in the Second World War. Experience taught him and many of his contemporaries that life itself was not a joke, and that life could never be treated as something cheap and disposable.

With these deeply ingrained impressions, Father Stephen began his search for the meaning of life, and in this search he never wavered.

He searched indefatigably for truth in God without ever letting go of the search for meaning in his human interactions.

He was an avid reader of the classics, and kept reading the works of CG Jung on psychology, with the earnest desire to arrive at a deeper self-knowledge and a profound understanding of others. Father Stephen was always prepared to listen with sympathy and allowed others to speak until he felt the time was ready to react as he believed God would react, he laughed, and we laughed with him, always reminding us not to take ourselves too seriously.

His last moments were spent in the company of his brothers whom he loved, and in the company of his favourite composer Joseph Haydn whose string quartets he knew inside out. Rest in peace, Father Stephen – brother, mentor, and friend – your time for genuine laughter has come and a good game of cricket!

 

Mrs S J Palmer

Pembroke

MRS SHEILA Joan Palmer of Bishops Lane, Pembroke passed away in Withybush Hospital on February 15 at the age of 87.

Born in St Helens, Lancashire, she was brought up in Cardiff and then Swansea.

She trained as a teacher, working in Brecon, where she met Ralph after the war. They married in 1953 and lived in Swansea and after having three children, they moved to Pembroke. She went back to teaching in 1970s at Argyle Street Primary School and then Angle School. She retired in 1987 and Sheila and Ralph went on many trips to America and Europe. Sheila loved children and when she finally became a grandmother, she was thrilled and spent many happy hours with her grandchildren.

She was a member of St Mary’s Pembroke and a member of St Mary’s Choir when she was younger. She was predeceased by her husband Daniel Ralph Palmer in 2012.

The family left to mourn are: Andy Palmer and Jane Palmer (son and daughter-inlaw); Fleur Lewis and Alistair Lewis (daughter and son-inlaw); Ailsa Palmer and Noel Corry (daughter and partner); Joy Lewis and Hamish Lewis (grandchildren); Harriet Etheridge and Morgan Etheridge (step-grandchildren); Neville Atherton and Sylvia Atherton (brother and sister-in-law); Neil Atherton and Lauren Williams (nephew and niece); Lorna Henry, Peter Henry, Miriam Lewis, Melanie and Robert Hicks, Samara Hicks plus many friends and neighbours. The service was held at St Mary’s Pembroke followed in interment at St Michaels Cemetery and was officiated by Rev Roger Jones. The funeral arrangements were carried out by E C Thomas and Son, Llanteg.

 

Mr R W Silk

Neyland

MR ROBERT William Silk of Neyland Vale, Neyland passed away on March 26 aged 91 at The Meadows Nursing Home, Johnston.

Born in Ilford in 1922, the youngest of three children, he left school when he was 14 and worked in the instrument workshop at Plessey, the electrical manufacturer. He left Plessey and joined the London Co-op. By the outbreak of war he was progressing in the grocery department of a local Co-op.

In 1940, he joined the RAF Volunteer Reserve. A year laterm he was selected for aircrew as a wireless operator.

After training, with his Lancaster crewm he joined 61 Squadron before transferring to 83 Squadron Pathfinders.

The crew emerged relatively unscathed after two tours of operations – 47 raids in all – the first flown on his 21st birthday. They had a few eventful happenings, an engine fire, getting ‘coned’ by searchlights, an aeroplane on the ground exploding near them, and a piece of an anti-aircraft shell arriving under his armoured seat. He had flown with a heavy cold that had led to a perforated eardrum and deafness in his left ear. He was awarded the DFM by King George VI on the Isle of Man, where he was based at the time. He was demobbed in early 1946 as a Flying Officer. He married Vera May Black in 1945 and became a bus driver for London Transport. In 1950, he joined Stent Concrete of Dagenham in the drawing office and then became a manager on the works side of the factory.

He helped to develop the application of pre-stressing to concrete products.

He moved to Bridgend in 1955 as production manager in the Costain Concrete factory, eventually becoming the local director. He retired in 1987 and soon afterwards moved to Neyland. He had always enjoyed boating and holidaying in the area and the family sailing cruiser was moved there, too. Vera passed away in 2010. He enjoyed making his own music and could play the piano quite well ‘by ear’. He spent many happy hours playing an electric organ. He also enjoyed reading, skiing, and owned a number of dogs.

The principal mourners were his two sons Michael and Geoffrey and daughter Pamela Charlton. Together with Michael’s wife Susan Silk, Pamela’s husband Christopher Charlton, his grandsons Christopher Silk and Oliver Silk, and Pamela’s daughters Alexandra and Megan Charlton. Other members of the family present were Jonathan and Amanda Gentry. The funeral service at was held at Parc Gwyn on April 5 and was officiated by Reverend Victoria Jones. The bearers were his sons Michael and Geoffrey, and two of his grandsons Christopher Silk and Oliver Silk. His daughter-in-law Anne and grandsons Benjamin and Joseph watched the funeral in South Africa and New Zealand. Long may his memory live on with all of you who knew him.

 

Mr D J Griffiths

Kilgetty

MR DENNIS John Griffiths of Ash Park, Kilgetty passed away peacefully at Withybush Hospital on March 30, at the age of 89.

Born at White Leys and educated at Stepaside School, he lived most of his life in Summerhill, with the last 25 years being happily spent in Kilgetty.

Dennis spent his working life as a builder and served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War serving on surface ships and on submarines.

Dennis had many interests, enjoying watching all sports, especially boxing and motorbike racing, and he was a keen snooker player.

He was an avid gardener and his flower displays were a joy to behold, often winning the prize for the best in the village.

A devoted husband to Mildred, Dennis will be sadly missed by his family and his many friends.

The funeral took place on April 8 at Parc Gwyn, with the Rev Elwyn John officiating.

The bearers were Ian Poole, Allan Hurst, David Griffiths and Simon Morgan.

The following day, there was a short service held at Amroth church, attended by immediate family, to inter Dennis’ ashes, this service was officiated by Rev Marianne Osborne.

There were family flowers only donations for the British Heart Foundation, c/o E C Thomas and Son, Zoar Chapel Funeral Home, Llanteg, who carried out the funeral arrangements.

 

Mr M Mathias

Newport, Pembs

THE death occurred on February 7 of Mike Mathias aged 57, after a short illness borne with courage. Mike was cared for by his sister Christine throughout his illness, to whom the family are so grateful.

Born in Pembroke Dock, Mike spent most of his life in Newport. A welder by trade, he had an interest in car maintenance and carpentry.

Mike was the only son of the late Jim and Beatrice Mathias of Newport, dad to Lisa and Michael, brother to Margaret, Gwyneth, Christine and the late Sheena, much loved uncle, great uncle, nephew, brother-in-law and everyone’s friend.

A large gathering of family and friends were at the crematorium, officiated by Rev Neil Llewellyn of St Mary’s in Newport in the presence of the Rev Islwyn Selby. The bearers were David (nephew), John, Mefyn and Dyfed (friends). Mike’s ashes were buried with his parents at Newport.

The chief mourners were Lisa and Wes (daughter and partner); Michael and Julie (son and partner); Margaret and Les, Gwyneth and Philip, Christine and Dave (sisters and brothers-in-law); Richard, Jamie, Peter, David (nephews); Michelle and Simon (niece and partner); Heath and Laura (nephew and wife); Mr and Mrs Idris Thomas (aunt and uncle); Doreen and Enid (cousins).

Unable to attend were Mrs Olivia Raynor (aunt); Mathew and Karen (nephew and wife).

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Paul Jenkins and Sons, of Fishguard with kindness and dignified sensitivity at a sad time.

 

Mrs I L Concannon

Haverfordwest

MRS Isabella Lettice Concannon of Pembroke Road, Haverfordwest passed away at the age of 79 on February 24 at Withybush General Hospital. She died peacefully with her family at her side.

Born in Steynton, she worked with her parents as a tenant farmer in Burton moving to Haverfordwest in the sixties, working for a period at Tesco’s before her retirement in 1994.

A keen artist, her paintings were made into greeting cards and sold to support local charities. She enjoyed spending time with her family who were very important to her, including the grandchildren of her own and extended family.

An enthusiastic motorist, she travelled to Ireland on many occasions to see the family and friends of her late husband John on the island of his birth Inishbofin and to her mother’s family home in the Highlands of Scotland. As a girl Isabelle led a happy life with the freedom to ride her horse Dandy bareback along the lanes of Houghton, with memories of Sunderland flying boats flying over the farm during wartime. She had suffered much ill health in her later years. She had been a patient at Withybush over a number of years having both hip and knee joints replaced, her faith, cheerfulness and determination to keep going all with a beautiful smile.

The chief mourners were Philip and Sharon Concannon (son and daughter in law); Andrew Concannon (son); Bartle and Gwen Morgan (brother and sister in law); Caroline Morgan (niece); Finnian Concannon Lewis (grandson); and from her late husband John’s family, Kevin Aspell, Petrina Kelly, Michael and Imelda Cloonan, together with many other relatives and friends.

The cremation took place on March 6 at Parc Gwyn when Rev Paul Mackness officiated before the interment of the ashes the next day at her mother’s grave at Freystrop cemetery. Ben Perkins gave the reading. The service was “streamed” on the internet for the benefit of Irish relations, Ann Day amongst many others, and friends unable to attend. The bearers were Andrew and Philip Concannon, Bartle Morgan, Kevin Aspell, Michael Cloonan, and Richard Dennis.

There were family flowers but donations in lieu to the High Dependency Unit, and Ward One of Withybush Hospital Haverfordwest c/o EC Thomas and Son,, Llanteg, who also carried out the funeral arrangements.

 

Mrs D Harries

Borgmann Monkton

THE funeral took place recently at St David’s Church, Hundleton of Mrs Dorothy Harries Borgmann of Long Mains, Monkton and formally of “Fairhaven” Hundleton.

She passed away on February 20 at South Pembs Hospital aged 77.

She was predeceased by her husband Bernard Howell in 1976 and Alfred (Fred) Borgmann in 2006.

Dorothy was born and lived most of her life in Hundleton, moving to Monkton 10 years ago.

Dorothy had been employed since leaving the Coronation School in a number of retail outlets including Cash & Cos. Mendus Pharmacy Pembroke, Woolworths, The Co-op, and Montis Café Pembroke Dock where she made some lifelong friends.

She then took the position of Stock Control Clerk working for Management Catering during the construction of the Power Station.

In later life she worked nearer to home at Orielton Field Study Centre and Orielton School.

Many customers would probably remember her on the Butchery Counter in Kwiksave, Pembroke with Terry and his family.

She was more recently employed at Bush House and then Holyland Lodge retiring to look after and care for Fred.

Her love of music and dancing started at a young age as a keen ballerina.

Dorothy enjoyed all types of music she particularly loved Rock and Roll and Big Band and her love of dancing was shared by Bernard - she was truly in her element whilst on the dance floor!

In recent years Dorothy had joined “The Friends of South Pembrokeshire Hospital”

helping to raise funds for items not covered by hospital funding.

She would often be seen walking briskly up the Main Street distributing posters and collecting tins or appealing for raffle prizes. The “Friends” have lost a much valued member.

She showed her appetite for life, natural assertiveness and determination as she bravely fought her short battle against cancer and made her family proud.

She was a generous and caring lady who will be greatly missed by all of her family and friends.

The funeral service was officiated by the Rev Canon Roger Jones and was followed by interment in the Churchyard.

The bearers were David Powell, Martin Borgmann, Kevin Powell and Daniel Powell.

The organist was Mr Eric Scourfield. The Eulogy “A letter to our Nan” was written and read by Tracey, and the poem “I’m Free” was read by Ruth.

The family left to mourn are Shan and David (daughter and son-in law); Ruth (daughter); Martin and Lin, Peter and Diane (step-sons and partners); Tracey and Scott, Joanne and Chris (grand daughters and husbands); Kevin and Suzie, Daniel and Donna (grandsons and partners); Thomas (grandson); Charlie, Amy, Poppy, Dillan and Mali (great grandchildren); John and Helen, Marion and Brian (brothers and sisters-in-law); Hilary and John, Jean and Billy (cousins); Ilsa, Rudiger and Heidi, Renate and Karl Hans (sisters and brothers-in-law); Rolfe (Fred’s’ cousin) and all of the family in Germany.

It was Dorothy’s wish that there were family flowers only but donations in lieu for Hundleton Churchyard Maintenance Fund sent to John Roberts and Son, 51 Bush Street, Pembroke Dock, who also carried out the funeral arrangements.

 

Mrs K Edwards

Haverfordwest

MRS K Edwards (Pat) formerly of Grove Place, St Thomas Green passed away on March 25 at the age of 85.

Pat was originally from Glasgow, but moved to Pembrokeshire at a young age.

She first worked in Trecwn, then went to the civil service and worked in Haverfordia House, Haverfordwest for many years before retiring.

Married to John Edwards (Jack) for 50 years, they lived in Goodwick for a while, before settling in Haverfordwest.

Pat had many interests including gardening, reading and playing indoor bowls.

The service was held at Albany Church, Haverfordwest followed by interment at Llanwnda Cemetery, Goodwick.

It was officiatied by the minister Rev Hugh-John Wilson.

There were four bearers, Diane (daughter), Emma and Claire (granddaughters) and Derek (son).

The family left to mourn and principal mourners are Diane (daughter); Rosemarie and Kevin (daughter and sonin- law); Derek (son); Emma and Claire (granddaughters); Rhiannon (granddaughter); Rachel, Peter, Nathen and Daniel (grandchildren); Paige, John and Dylan (great grandchildren); Antonia (daughter-in-law); Louis and Theo (grandsons) plus many more family and friends too numerous to mention.

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

 

Mrs K Cole

Pembroke Dock

MRS Kathleen Cole, affectionately known to everyone as Kay, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at her home in Laws Street, Pembroke Dock on March 25 after a valiant battle against cancer.

Born at Golden Brake in Pembroke, she attended Pembroke Dock Grammar School and her first job after leaving school was at Peglars in Pembroke Dock. She met her future husband Watkin and they were married for 53 wonderful years until he passed away in December 2007. They made their first home in Brewery St, Pembroke Dock where they raised their three children.

She spent many happy years working at Kintons clothes shop in Bush Street.

Kay made many friends through her work and hobbies which included jalopy racing with Pembrokeshire Hell Drivers and Pembrokeshire Autograss Club. She also loved playing cards at the Pater Hall, St. Teilos church, Lamphey and Manorbier whist drives.

When she retired she took up lawn bowls at Pembroke Dock Memorial Park where her competitive streak shone through. She won several trophies there as well as Heatherton indoor bowling club.

The funeral was on April 3 at St. Johns Church, Pembroke Dock, officiated by the Reverend Nicky Skipworth with readings from her son Michael and granddaughter Claire. The cremation was at Parc Gwyn.

The friendship and camaraderie of the whist and bowling fraternity was evident at the number of her friends present at the church and crematorium.

During the last few months of her life, Kay stayed positive and battled through to the end with the help of Sharon Jones of MacMillan Nurses, the staff of Safe Haven and Paul Satori Foundation.

The family received many messages of sympathy and condolence often containing memories of their friendship with Kay and the joy she brought to their lives.

Principal mourners were sons Richard and Michael, daughter and son in law Susan and Simon, grand children David and Claire, sister and brother in law Ruth and Wyn Owens, her sister Eileen and many other relatives and friends too numerous to mention.

The bearers were Michael Cole, Mike Rigden, Ian Evans and Eric George.

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

There were family flowers only with donations to Macmillan Cancer Support and Paul Sartori Foundation