Obituaries for January 14 2015

Haverfordwest

MRS Muriel (Mamie) Bonwick of Priory Avenue, Haverfordwest passed away peacefully at her home on December 27 2014. She was 96.

Mamie was born in Milford Haven the eldest daughter of George and Elsie Mawston and at a young age moved to Haverfordwest where she spent her childhood in Dew Street and later Richmond Crescent.

She attended St. Martins Church school and Taskers then on leaving education was a book keeper for Dickensons the butcher and later for her father at Merlin Motors. A period of war service ensued as a nurse in Carmarthen .

Her husband Ron predeceased her in June 2013 after 68 years of happy marriage and bringing up five children Jane, Elizabeth, John, Ena and Timothy. A hardworking housewife she had a number of part time jobs of which some years were spent in The Hospital Shop in Bush Row. In later years she joined the staff of the West Wales Guardian as a Proof Reader and was later employed in the Western Telegraph in the same position up until retirement.

There was a large gathering of family, neighbours and friends at the funeral on January 5 at Albany Church, Haverfordwest. The chief mourners were Jane and David Butcher; Elizabeth and Lionel Evans; John and Caroline Bonwick; Ena and George Clark; Tim and Sue Bonwick (children and spouses). Keith and Jenny, Claire, Andrew, Sally and Elliott, Nicola and Lee, Kevin and Laura, Sarah, Simon, Sam and Erin (grandchildren and spouses/partners).

Dylan, Amelia, Andrew, Bryony (great grandchildren).

David and Julia Ashworth, Ian and Kath Ashworth (nephews and wives). Angie and Lorraine (niece and partner), Rachel Ashworth (great niece), Gill Mawston (sister-in-law) and Kath, Val Thomas (friend).

The eulogy was read by David Ashworth.

The bearers were Keith Robinson, Simon and Sam Bonwick and Kevin Clark.

Unable to attend were Flo Mawston (sister-in-law), Sue Parker and Yvonne Kelvey (nieces). Calvin Kielty and Robin Leane. Lyndsey and Lisa John (grandchildren), Leah, Jacob, Alys, Robert, Poppy, Oliver and Megan (great grandchildren).

The funeral was officiated by The Rev. Hugh-John Wilson and interment followed at City Road Cemetery. The organist was Christine Phillips.

There were family flowers only with donation in lieu if desired for Albany Church c/o Jackie Corby, Greenfields, Creamston Road, Haverfordwest. Pembs.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Glyn Thomas and Son assisted by Mrs. Susan Price.

Mr R Rowland

Milford Haven

MR Roy Rowland passed away on December 23 at home in Stratford Road, Milford Haven. He was about to celebrate his 94th birthday.

Born in Dewsland Street, the second of four brothers who sadly predeceased him, he lived all his life in Milford Haven except for his four years overseas serving in the Royal Signals Corps in Persia, North Africa, Sicily and Italy during the Second World War.

Following the end of the war he rejoined the Post Office which he had originally entered at the age of 14 as a telegram boy. Roy then worked in the Post Office for another 35 years in the writing room and as counter staff in Milford Haven and Pembroke Dock, receiving the Long Service Medal.

At the end of 1946 he met his future wife Rhona Kathleen Thompson and, after a short engagement they married at Saint Katharine’s Church on September 11947.

They celebrated 67 years together bringing up two children, Lynda and Phillip and, in later years, enjoyed two grandchildren, Anna and Russell.

After Roy’s retirement from the Post Office in 1982 he was treasurer of the Conservative Club for 20 years, finishing when he reached the age of 80. His main interests lay in his home, garden and family.

He was a keen reader and music lover and a lifelong Arsenal supporter.

The funeral service was held at Saint Katharine’s and St Peter’s on January 5, his 94th birthday, followed by cremation at Parc Gwyn.

It was officiated by Father Harri Williams and the Rev Canon John Davies.

The bearers were Phillip Rowland, Peter Bowen, Russell Bowen and Paul Thompson.

The family left to mourn were Rhona (wife); Lynda and Peter (daughter and son-in-law); Phillip and Alison (son and daughter-inlaw); Anna, Russell and Neil (grandchildren) plus many other close relatives and friends too numerous to mention, some of whom had travelled a long distance.

Donations in lieu, if desired, to the Paul Sartori Foundation, 31 Haven Road, Haverfordwest. The funeral arrangements were most efficiently carried out by Tom Newing and Sons Ltd of Milford Haven.

Mrs E H Bridge

Haverfordwest

ELIZABETH Bridge (Rees), known as Hilda sadly passed away on December 30 2014.

She was 91.

She spent the majority of her life in Haverfordwest, living in Priory Avenue for 65 of these years. Due to failing health, the last couple of years, she spent at Lynnefield Home in Merlins Bridge.

The funeral service was held on January 7 at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth.

It was officiated by Fr Harri Williams. The bearers were Carl Rees, Nathan Rees, Martin Rees and Darren Rees (grandsons).

The family left to mourn and principal mourners were Jackie Taberham (daughter); Jeffrey Rees and Brenda (son and partner); Bernard Rees (son); Peter and Irene Rees (son and daughter-in-law); Heather White (daughter); Trevor and Gail Rees (son and daughter-in-law); Tony and Caroline Rees (son and daughter-in-law) plus family and friends too numerous to mention.

Donations in lieu to Dementia UK which may be sent c/o Dementia UK, Second Floor, Resource for London, 365 Holloway Road, London N7 6PA.

Mr W J Bunyan

Pembroke

MR Wilfred James Bunyan of Pembroke passed away at Withybush Hospital on December 12 2014, after a short and sudden illness. He was 73.

He was born in Haverfordwest and was the eldest son of the late Winnie and Arthur Bunyan of Pembroke Dock. Wilf was educated at Albion Square Infants School, Pembroke Dock, and later at Pembroke Grammar School. Prior to leaving school, Wilf had not shown an interest in pursuing any particular career. A chance encounter with an old friend of the family, sparred an idea in Wilf, which was to join the Merchant Navy. After leaving school Wilf went off to training school, in order to get the required papers and qualifications needed to gain entry into the Merchant Navy. He started his love of the sea on his maiden voyage, as a young galley boy.

Having started at the bottom, Wilfred worked his way upwards through the ranks of galley boy, cook, chief cook, steward, chief steward and purser. Having become an officer in the Merchant Navy, was something to which Wilfred and his family were very proud of. After more than 30 years at sea, Wilfred took early retirement to live with his Dutch partner Elsa, in Holland, until her passing in 2012. Following Elsa’s death Wilfred then decided to move back to the UK, and in particular Pembroke, to be near his younger brother Phil, and his family.

Having successfully purchased a property close by to his remaining family, he then started to adjust to his repatriation back home in Wales. Another chapter began in Wilf ’s life, when he met a widowed lady named Janet in Pembroke Dock.

Their relationship was growing stronger week by week, but was cruelly cut short after Janet’s untimely death in September 2014. Wilfred nursed Janet through her short illness and his passing followed some 10 weeks later.

Wilf ’s funeral took place on December 22 2014. The service took place at the Chapel of Rest, Llanteg, where the Minister Roger Hart officiated.

This was followed by interment at Llanion Cemetery, Pembroke Dock.

The coffin was draped with a ‘Red Ensign’ flag, for Wilf ’s connection to the Merchant Navy. A wreath of white carnations and red roses in the shape of an anchor lay on top of the coffin, a second wreath in blue and white flowers symbolising the ‘Blue Peter Flag’, together with a Christmas wreath also accompanied the coffin. The bearers were from E C Thomas and Son.

The principal mourners are Phil and Irene (brother and sister-in-law); Glenn (nephew); Craig and Adele (nephew and wife); Georgia and William (great niece and nephew). Unable to attend were family and friends in Hampshire, Bristol, Kent and Southampton. Donations if desired may be sent to Mr Graham Thomas, 34 Charles Thomas Avenue, Pembroke Dock for the RNLI.

Mrs B Reynolds

Milford Haven

BETTY Reynolds (nee Kennedy) aged 86, passed away peacefully with her family beside her at Rickerston Mill Nursing Home on December 7 2014.

Betty was born and bred in Manchester in 1928. When she left school she went to work in the local margarine works in Irlam. While she was working there she slipped her name and address into a margarine box that found its way to a naval ship.

She then went on to have a pen-friend courtship which resulted in marrying Herbie Reynolds in 1946.

Following their marriage, Herbie brought Betty back to his native town, Milford Haven, where they both settled into married life. During the next 15 years they lived in both Milford Haven and Haverfordwest where four of their five children were born, Robert, Jennifer, Sheila and Alan.

In 1961 they moved to Lowestoft, Suffolk. It was at this time their fifth child, Alyson was born. In 1966 the family returned to Milford Haven.

Betty had many jobs over the years including working at a factory in Thorton, Rabbiotti’s and Fine Fare in Charles street. Betty was a creative lady and enjoyed knitting and crochet. In 1977 she opened Reynolds Woolshop in Observatory Avenue, and later in Waterloo Road in Hakin.

In retirement Betty and Herbie toured all over France towing their caravan, having many adventures and lots of laughs. In later years they took long winter holidays in Spain, where the family used to visit them.

Betty and Herbie moved to Rickerston Mill Nursing Home in November 2013. Herbie sadly passed away in June 2014. Betty leaves behind five children, 10 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren. Betty was looking forward to becoming a great, great grandmother in January, but sadly this was not meant to be.

The service was at Hamiliton Court, Milford Haven, followed by cremation at Parc Gwyn. The officiating minister was Rev Bill Lewis. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Tom Newing and Sons, of Milford Haven.