Mr M J Rees

Rosemarket

MARTYN died peacefully on January 26, the day after his 56th birthday, at the home of his close friends Terry and Andrea, after bearing his illness with great courage and dignity. Martyn was best man at their wedding and he spent the last few weeks of his life at their home, where everyone was welcomed with extreme kindness and enjoyed their special care and love.

Mr Martyn James Rees of Rosemarket was the only son of the late Dilys and Cecil Rees of West Street, Rosemarket.

Martyn attended Haverfordwest Grammar School, he then studied at Portsmouth University and subsequently was employed by Welsh Water now Natural Resources Wales.

He was widely and greatly respected by his work colleagues both in Haverfordwest and Cardiff, his fellow friends and quiz league players from Milford Haven and Neyland and the team players, members and supporters of both Neyland Rugby and Cricket Clubs. Martyn was known affectionately by many as “Ceefax” for his incredible memory and general knowledge and his special talent for retaining sporting facts, which proved invaluable as a team member of both Milford Haven and Neyland Quiz Leagues, which he enjoyed immensely, especially the company and friendship of his fellow team players.

Martyn was dedicated and gave many years of service to Neyland Rugby and Cricket Clubs as a team manager and secretary respectively, he was wise and fair and held in high regard by many opposition teams for his impartiality when running the line for the All Blacks. He also attended cricket games every Saturday even during his illness to offer his support.

His interests also included horse racing, he held a world of knowledge of the sport , just ask and he could provide you with horse, jockey and trainer of all the big Derby and Grand National winners, he also loved American football and would stay up all night on a Sunday to enjoy the games.

There were large gatherings to show respect and friendship at the services in Rosemarket and Parc Gwyn officiated by Reverend Alan Chadwick with tributes by Chris Busby (Neyland Rugby) Paul Miller (Neyland Cricket) and his very dear friend Terry Mills.

The family mourners were his auntie Lil (unable to attend); uncle John and auntie Shirley; cousins Peter Fowler, Janet Phillips, Terry and Linda Rees and unable to attend Ian and Clive Fowler.

The bearers were James Phillips, Terry Mills, Chris Busby, Greg Miller, Mike Griffiths and Muhammed Yacoab.

Donations to Neyland Rugby and Cricket Clubs. The funeral arrangements were undertaken by Glyn Thomas of Freystrop.

 

Mr W G Griffiths

Pembroke Dock

THE death occurred peacefully at Withybush Hospital on May 2, aged 88 years of Mr William George Griffiths (Bill) of Charles Thomas Avenue, Pembroke Dock, formally of Gordon Street and Bentlass.

Beloved husband of Noeline and dearly loved father, grandfather and greatgrandfather, Bill was born in Albany Street, Pembroke Dock, the eldest of twin boys to Charlotte and Frederick, and his older brother Harold.

Sadly Bill’s brother Sidney died when they were seven months old and his mum, Charlotte when he was 11 years old.

Bill went to school in Pembroke Dock, on leaving, he joined the Post Office Telephone Engineers, and was with them for 44 years of his working life and many of his colleagues became his good friends.

A keen sportsman, he played rugby for the Quinns, football for the Borough and cricket for Brittania (now Pembroke Dock Cricket Club) and was one of its founder members.

Bill met Noeline, literally, over the ‘garden wall’ from North Street and they married in 1953, lived in Albany Street and there raised their family.

After 20 years, he moved to Bentlass and was there for the next 30 years. Bill enjoyed sailing in the Haven and beyond during the years he and Noeline lived in Bentlass.

Advancing age brought them back to Pembroke Dock and Gordon Street, with good neighbours and everything they needed close to hand.

They expected their home in Gordon Street to be their last, but ill health made the move to Charles Thomas Avenue essential. Bill enjoyed the four months with Noeline there, until it gradually became necessary for him to be admitted to hospital.

Family left to mourn are Noeline (wife); Wendy (daughter); Glen and Mal (daughter and son-in-law); Alan and Jan (son and daughter-in-law); grandchildren and partners Cathy and Simon (husband), Eleanor, Charlotte, Daniel and Philippa (fiancée); Christopher and Julia, Leo (great grandson); Ken and Sue Deveson (brother and sister-in-law); many cousins, nephews and nieces.

The funeral service took place at Pennar Community Church (Bethany) officiated by Rev Elizabeth Squires and Rev Roger Hart with Mr Brian Lavender at the organ.

The eulogy was given by Cathy, the reading by Eleanor and a poem by Wendy, and the bearers were Daniel and Christopher (grandsons), and Mr Paul Cole (family friend).

Donations for St Nons Ward, Bro Cerwyn, may be sent to E C Thomas and Son, Zoar Chapel Funeral Home, Llanteg, Narberth who carried out the funeral arrangements.

 

Miss E Wonnacott

Haverfordwest

THE funeral took place on May 13 of Elizabeth Wonnacott who passed away at Withybush Hospital.

Elizabeth was born in Haverfordwest. She was the second child of William and Grace Wonnacott.

After leaving Taskers School for Girls she worked in Green’s Cycles, High Street, Haverfordwest.

After leaving there she went to work in Bristol for the National Cash Company.

When her father died in 1964 she came back to Haverfordwest to live.

She went to work as a telephonist at RAF Brawdy.

While working at Brawdy she was awarded the Imperial Service Medal.

After retirement she went to work as a volunteer in the Oxfam Shop in High Street, Haverfordwest.

Her brother Barrie and sister Pamela predeceased her.

The family left to mourn and principal mourners are Nicky and Joyce Wonnacott (brother and sister-in-law); Tracy Blyth and Joanne Busch (nieces); Timothy Wonnacott (nephew); Daniel, Ellis, James and George (great nephews); Laura, Sophie.

Katy and Emily (great nieces); Doreen Chase (her very dear friend).

Rev Nicholas Kale officiated at the funeral service at Parc Gwyn.

The bearers were Charlie Chase (friend), Daniel and Ellis Blyth (great nephews); James Wonnacott (great nephew).

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

 

Mrs E Edmonds

Llandewi Velfrey

THE funeral took place at Parc Gwyn on May 14 of Betty Edmonds. She passed away peacefully at Glangwili Hospital on May 4 after a short illness aged 83.

Devoted wife of the late Eric and loving mother to Phil, Tim and Sue, she will be greatly missed by family and all her friends.

Betty lived all her life in Llanddewi Velfrey, being born at Scapin Fach she was the second eldest of 10 children, then moving to Llandaff Row and when she was married in 1954 moved to Glan Preseli.

Betty had many interests, she was very skilled at knitting and made numerous jumpers for Romanian children.

She also loved doing jigsaws and crosswords. She was a lifelong member of Bethel Chapel.

The family left to mourn and principal mourners are Phil, Tim and Sue (sons and daughter); Gaynor, Margaret and Keith (daughters and son-in-law); Patrick, Rhys, Tina, Emma, Emily, Kathryn and Jason (grandchildren); Daniel, Thomas, Kayleigh, Chelsea and Archie (great grandchildren). The service was officiated by Rev Martin Spain. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Hywel Thomas of Llanboidy.

 

Mrs E M Harris

Landshipping

MRS Ella Maud Harris of Landshipping passed away on May 9 at Apley Lodge, Pembroke Dock. She was 103.

After marrying Leslie in 1930, Ella moved to Bridge House, Landshipping and lived there for almost all her life. She was a well known local character and a faithful member of Burnetts Hill Methodist Chapel, Martletwy, becoming the oldest member.

She enjoyed family life very much, particularly visits from her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also loved to pay visits to her family and enjoyed pottering around in her garden. A highlight in her life in later years was her twice weekly visit to Bloomfield Day Centre.

She was predeceased by her husband Leslie Harris in 1966.

The family left to mourn and principal mourners are Joan Whitaker (daughter); Glyn and Jean Harris (son and daughter-in-law); Pamela and Derek Davies (daughter and son-in-law); Malcolm Harris (son); six grandchildren and eight great grandchildren; Sylvia Nicholas (sister); plus nephews and nieces.

The service was held at Parc Gwyn Crematorium and was officiated by Canon Roger Jones and the bearers were Nick Whitaker, Sidney Whitaker, Neville Thomas and Christopher Harris. Donations for Apley Lodge and Paul Sartori Foundation c/o E C Thomas and Son, Zoar Chapel Funeral Home, Llanteg, Narberth, who also carried out the funeral arrangements.

 

Mrs M A B Cunningham

Haverfordwest

MARGARET Allan Baxter Cunningham passed away at home suddenly but peacefully on April 23.

Born in Bo’Ness, Lothian, Scotland in 1934 to parents Grace and Charles Williamson, Margaret was the eldest on nine children three girls and six boys. She attended Borrowstoun School before going to the public primary school and lastly to the Bo’ness Academy. When she left school she went on to teacher training college at Murray House in Edinburgh.

Due to ill health reasons she had to give it up and she went to work in the Bank of Scotland, where she remained for several years. She met her future husband Jock, who was then a painter and decorator.

They got engaged and married in the Old Kirk. He then decided to join the Royal Navy. Whilst Jock travelled Margaret remained in Scotland and two years later gave birth to her eldest son Alan.

When he was just over a year old Jock was posted to Malta where she joined him with Alan.

They were then posted to Haverfordwest where she had her second son Martin in 1963. They then moved to Yeovilton in Somerset for another posting before coming back to Haverfordwest where they then settled down.

Margaret then got a job in Taskers School for Girls as a lunchtime supervisor and stayed there until she retired.

After retirement Margaret filled her time with other activities including bingo and gardening to name a few.

Her life revolved around her family as she was kept busy devoting her time to her four grandsons and her home life.

She leaves to mourn her son Alan, son Martin and daughter- in-law Nicola, grandsons Ewan, Kern, Logan and Drew. Brothers and sisters along with their husbands and wives and also numerous nieces and nephews