Obituaries published on June 4, 2014

Portsmouth (formerly of Pembroke)

EDWARD John (Ted) Reed passed away after a long battle with leukaemia at home in Portsmouth on May 2, 2014 aged 79.

Beloved husband of Dorothea Reed, loving father of Jane Robinson (Portsmouth) and Edward Reed (Solihull), and dearest grandad of Paige and Abbie (Portsmouth), Ethan, Max and Joe (Solihull). Also dear father-in-law of David Robinson and Sarah Reed.

Ted was born in King Street, Pembroke Dock, in 1935, the son of Alice Reed and William Reed. He was the brother of Sam, Cathleen (Cassy Jones, of The Green, Pembroke), Howard, Bruce, Stanley (King Street), Mary (McDermott of the King Arms, Front Street) and Billy (the famous footballer from Front Street), all of whom are sadly no longer with us.

He will also be missed by many loving nephews, nieces, cousins and friends far and wide.

Ted enlisted in the Welsh Guards and served for 12 years in the 1st Battalion.

He was based overseas in Cyprus and Egypt until he married Dorothea and moved to Barking, Essex, in 1964, where their two children were later born; Jane and Edward (Eddie), who also served in the Welsh Guards.

He had various business interests and entered the world of local politics, but later returned to Pembroke in 1982, where he owned the original Guest House on Well Hill, Pembroke and later a health food shop on East End Square, Pembroke, until 1990, when he retired and lived along Station Road, Pembroke.

During 1988/89, he became the 608th mayor of Pembroke and was honoured with a guard of honour from the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards for his inauguration.

He then moved to Portsmouth with Dorothea in 2006 near their daughter and son-in-law who were both in the Royal Navy, and their son.

The funeral service was held on Thursday, May 29, in Portsmouth, where Ted is now buried.

Mr R. Morris

Fishguard

THE funeral took place recently of Roy Morris, who passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, May 4, aged 78, after a short illness.

Roy was born at Wallis Street, Fishguard, the son of Louie and Tommy Morris.

On leaving school, he took up an apprenticeship as an electrician with Harry Rees, Fishguard, until his call-up for National Service in 1957.

In 1960, he began his own electrical business in Hottipass Street and in 1962, he opened his shop in West Street and his brother Randal assisted him in running the Roy Morris electrical shop.

After 40 years, the shop was sold, but Roy carried on as an electrical contractor for a further ten years.

He was a well-known businessman and very well liked, always ready to give help and assistance, and he endeared himself to all who knew him with his humour, goodwill and a loveable kind nature.

He met his wife Mair in 1960 and they were married at Hermon Baptist Chapel in 1963, and celebrated their golden wedding last year with their daughters Helen, Vanessa and families.

He developed Fishguard Caravan Park with two friends in 1965, then known as Green Acres. He also opened the Frozen Food business with a friend which later became a Spar shop in West Street, now C. K. and also a laundrette business attached to his electrical shop.

Many will also remember the fish and chip van he took to nearby villages in the evenings around the 1960s.

He was a past member of Fishguard and Goodwick Chamber of Trade while in business.

He became a founder member of Fishguard and District Round Table in 1964 and was chairman in 1966.

During his year of office, on behalf of the Tablers, he presented the paddling pool at the Parrog, Goodwick, for the use of young children: this gave him much joy.

Roy was a faithful member of St Mary’s Church and contributed by maintaining the heating and lighting system.

He valued and gave great support to his wife Mair, the children and their families and took an active part in their interests and activities.

The principal mourners were: Mair (wife), Helen and Mark (daughter and son-in-law), Vanessa (daughter), Jemma and Bernard (granddaughter and husband), Lauren and Tom, Naomi and Dominic (granddaughters and partners), Kevin and Wil (grandsons). Ann, John, Emma and Fiona, Marion and Rhys, Lee, Eira and Bryan (cousins) and friends too numerous to mention.

The service was held at St Mary’s Church, Fishguard, followed by interment at Hermon Cemetery and was officiated by Rev Christopher Brown and Rev Jennie Annis. The bearers were Gareth Howells, Richard Jenkins, Philip Roach, Luke Dunning, Lee Evans and Mark Tormey. The organist was Perys Worth.

There were family flowers only, with donations in lieu for Fishguard District Nurses Fund to Paul Jenkins and Sons, Funeral Directors, Feidr Castell, Fishguard, who also carried out the funeral arrangements.

Mr W. E. Paton

Weston-super-Mare (formerly of Haverfordwest)

THE funeral has taken place in Weston-super-Mare of William ‘Bill’ Paton, who died on May 2, aged 94.

Born in Cardiff, Bill first came to Haverfordwest when he was stationed in the county with the Royal West Kent Regiment during the Second World War. He was involved with entertaining and organising troop concerts in the County Theatre, Haverfordwest, where he met Doreen Davies, a well-known singer in the area from Prendergast, who was also taking part in the concerts. Five months after meeting, they married in Prendergast Church, a union which was to last 63 years until Doreen’s death in 2004.

Bill was a remarkable man. Born the youngest of ten children, he had lost both his parents by the age of 14, yet somehow during this difficult period he learned the art of survival, and began to acquire the many skills which were to serve him throughout his life.

Before he retired, he was a senior administrator with the gas board, but he was also able to turn his hand to various DIY projects over the years, his last being the installation of a new bathroom in his flat when he was aged 90.

He was a good gardener and an excellent cook.

But above all, perhaps Bill’s greatest gift was that of entertainer and phenomenal classical harmonica player. Self-taught, Bill became an accomplished player of anything from Rossini overtures to West End musicals. His harmonica playing was even incorporated into one of Haverfordwest Operatic Society’s shows, when as the character ‘Rattlesnake’ in Calamity Jane he played The Black Hills of Dakota as part of the production. He was still entertaining people on his harmonica just two weeks before his death.

Bill enjoyed a full and active life, approaching everything with optimism and enthusiasm. He had tremendous social skills and a sense of humour which enhanced his popularity with family and friends alike, and which he retained to the last. He was generous, kind and helpful to those around him and will be greatly missed by all.

The funeral service was based around Bill’s love of music, opening with Vitava by Smetana and included that great Welsh hymn Cwm Rhondda.

The first two verses of Brother James’ Air (23rd Psalm) were sung by Bill’s granddaughter Abigail, the family tribute was delivered by his son, Dr Rod Paton and the prayers were taken by his brother-in-law, Rev Ben Davies.

A recording of Bill playing The Theme from Limelight in 1953 at The Rozel Bandstand in Weston-super-Mare ended the service of celebration.

Bill’s family left to mourn are his children Debbie Paton and Martin Jones (daughter and partner); Dr Rod Paton (son); Tim and Julie Paton, Chris and Sue Paton (sons and daughters-in-law); grandchildren Scott, Catherine, Jan, Becky, Abigail, Jonathan, Eleanor and Kim, with their partners Linda, Jason, Chris and Martin and great-grandchildren Victoria, Danny, Jamie and Ava. Also many relatives and friends, not least Doreen Paton’s family from Pembrokeshire.

There were family flowers only with donations welcome to The Stroke Association, c/o The Elms Funeral Directors, 50 Baker Street, Weston-super-Mare BS23 3AQ, who handled the funeral arrangements, and also have associations with Pembrokeshire.

Although Bill was fortunate to enjoy good health for most of his life, his eldest son, Chris, suffered a major stroke in 2011 while on holiday in Pembrokeshre, and this charity would have been a cause close to Bill’s heart.

Mrs L. D. Martin

Haverfordwest

THE death of Linda Diane Martin, of Hanover Court, Haverfordwest, occurred at Withybush Hospital on April 25. She was 61.

A native of Hakin, Milford Haven, she worked through various positions at Woolworths for 23 years before leaving to have her son Brennan. She had struggled with ill health in the last 10 years.

She was a singer in a band in her youth, a good hockey player and loved spending time with family and friends. She enjoyed going to the beach, watching her son play cricket and spending quality time with her grandson Leon.

Family left to mourn are: Brennan (son); Charlotte (daughter-in-law); Leon (grandson); Barry (brother); Wendy and Sylvia (sisters); Matthew, Christopher, Andrew (nephews); Natalie, Joanne, Kate (nieces); Kelly, Taylor, Lily, Madison, Ella, Darcy, Chloe (great-nieces); Dylan (great-nephew); a whole host of cousins on the Jones and Leggatt sides of the family; Ann, Evan and Garry.

The funeral took place at North Road Baptist Church, Milford Haven on Tuesday, May 6, followed by interment at Milford Haven Cemetery.

Mrs Margaret Price officiated and the bearers were Sam Blaxland, Tom Blaxland, Lee Morgan, and James Murray (close family friends).

There were family flowers only, with donations in lieu to the British Heart Foundation, which may be sent to Tom Newing and Sons, Funeral Directors, Hamilton Court Funeral Home, Dartmouth Street, Milford Haven, who also carried out the funeral arrangements.