Western Telegraph obituaries for July 29, 2015

Mr M A Llewellyn, Neyland.

THE death occurred peacefully of Mr Michael Anthony Llewellyn, ‘Mike’, on March 20.

He had been unwell for the last eighteen months but continued to fight and provide for his family up to the end.

The funeral took place at St Clements Church, Neyland on April 2, followed by a burial in Neyland Cemetery where the grave of his late father was opened, as these had been his wishes.

Refreshments were then held at Neyland Athletic Club.

Bringing Mike back to Neyland had been the families wish as in the words of his son, that was when he was most happy and when times were good for him.

The Rev Alan Chadwick officiated and a service celebrating his life was attended by a large gathering in the church as Mike was a popular figure in the community and a retired local businessman.

The coffin bearers were Michael Llewellyn, Andrew Carridge, Carl Perlermo, Gareth Adams and Jason Riley. Mike was carried up on the bearers shoulders proudly into church, a wish of Michaels - Mike’s son, something not often seen these days.

Songs were chosen to remember Mike’s music tastes and many were surprised to discover that he enjoyed Paloma Faith.

A family man, he leaves to mourn Nicola and Andrew Carridge (daughter and son-in-law); Elizabeth Allen (daughter); Michael Llewellyn and Kelian Philips (son and fiancée); Eleasha and Seren Carridge, Maddison, Harper and Harlow Llewellyn (granddaughters); Sian Fothergill (niece); Jonathan Llewellyn (nephew); Alan King close family friend.

Unable to attend the funeral was his brother Gwyn and wife Sylvia due to ill health, and close friend Margot King.

Mike was born in Hereford, where his parents ran the local public house, The Neville Arms. He loved the countryside and being outdoors and spent much time helping on a local farm feeding the animals. His love of the countryside brought him to Pembrokeshire following the death of his mother, when he was still a young boy.

His first employment upon leaving Milford Grammar School was in the RAF and he often spoke about the RAF and especially his tug of war days with fond memories. A year before his death a friend from the RAF made contact and these memories and photos were relayed with much joy to Mike’s family. Upon leaving the RAF he worked at The Gulf Refinery as a process operator and made his home in the local village Llanstadwell.

A big part of Mike’s youth was his rugby and he played for Neyland for many years to a high standard. He was an active member of the athletic club also on the committee and here he made lifelong friendships and links to Neyland. The younger generation of Neyland still talk about Mike’s ‘tactics’ on the field and this was the only place he would play dirty. Rugby was a big passion but once his young family were growing up he become more of a spectator after many years of playing.

When he left The Gulf Refinery he took over the local general store in High Street, Neyland. Many of the people who attended the funeral had their first employment at the shop and he was often thanked for giving them a good work ethic. A kind man, he often kept a tab for families if things were tight and they would settle up when they could. Following the success of the general store he opened a fish and chip shop and people would travel for miles to taste Mike Llewellyn’s fish and chips!

Unfortunately the recession hit him hard and after over a decade of trading he had to close the shops. Not one to give up Mike sought employment at Consort Factory in Thorton. He had links with the factory as he used to run the canteen. He worked here for many years mainly on night duty operating a laser machine. His children found this quite amusing as he wasn’t into gadgets or modern technology but operated this with ease.

Retirement didn’t suit Mike and he spent his last few years of his life driving for Jock’s Taxis. Here he was highly thought of and respected and despite his failing health was often seen helping the elderly in the community with their errands.

Mike was a people person and a family man, he lived a simple life and was happy and fulfilled if his children were happy and worked into his retirement to provide for them.

He thrived seeing his grandchildren grow and do well at school. His close friends Alan and Margot King own a property in Spain, this was Mikes treat every year spending a week to ten days at “Casa” in Rojales, Costa Blanca. He enjoyed the sun and the local food and wine, and even when on holiday still liked to help doing odd jobs around the villa and then relaxing and reading by the pool.

The amount of flowers, cards and warm comments received by the family show the very high regard with which Mike was held.

There were family flowers only at the funeral and donations in lieu to Singleton Hospital Special Care Baby Unit. This charity was chosen after Mike’s youngest granddaughters Harlow and Harper were born at 26 weeks, and in similar spirits to their granddad fought very hard and finally came home three months later and continue to thrive. This gave Mike much happiness when he himself was not feeling well.

The funeral arrangements were provided by Tom Newing and Sons Ltd, of Milford Haven. These were carried out to a very high standard and the family are grateful to Shane and his staff.

Muriel Slater, Amroth.

MURIEL Slater, affectionately known as ‘Gran’, passed away peacefully on July 16 at Park House Court Nursing Home, Tenby at the grand old age of 99.

She was a loving wife to Jack Slater (1915-1996), mother to Pauline, mother-in-law to Peter; grandmother to Leanne, Louise, and Lindsey; step grandmother to Lucy and Rhys and great grandmother to Rebecca, Ben, Charlotte, Alex, Daniel, Grace, Jack and Frankie.

Muriel was born in Doncaster in February 1916 to Lily and Harry Slater who owned the Burns Tavern. On leaving high school at 15, she was taken on as an apprentice hairdresser by her mother, who had then started her own salon.

Muriel was always proud of the fact that she carried out the first ‘perm’ or Marcel wave in Doncaster. She would have clients coming from far and wide to have their hair done by Muriel.

One of the highlights of her week over the last two years, was Wednesday afternoon, when Ann comes in to Park House, with her cheery smile, to do everyone’s hair.

Muriel lived through two World Wars. She married Jack Slater on March 25, 1940. They met as thespians, and were in many musicals and productions together.

They both joined the war effort. He went to Belgium and France, whilst Muriel drove fire engines and fought fires during the Blitz.

Her daughter Pauline was born in 1944 and has many wonderful memories of very happy and loving childhood in Doncaster, amongst Muriel and Jack’s large circle of friends.

They were great travellers, with exciting trips to all corners of the globe; including a trip to Zambia to visit Pauline and two trips to Australia for Muriel in her late eighties. They were also keen caravanners.

In the 1970s, they visited Amroth with friends and said they had found this “secret gem of a village, close to the sea – a little piece of heaven”.

Muriel often said that she could never have imagined she would spend her last ten years here.

When she moved down to Amroth with her daughter, she was regularly seen in the local community, driving her motorised buggy to The Pirate for coffee, enjoying birthday parties at the New Inn and Sunday lunches at the Amroth Arms.

Her final two and half years were spent at Park House Court Nursing Home, Tenby. They have been happy and contented, with her special friend Helen – another lovely lady from Yorkshire. Pauline, Peter and family cannot thank Park House staff enough for such dedication, care, patience and homeliness during this potentially unsettling period of her life. She really could not have been in a better place.

The funeral was held at Parc Gwyn Crematorium on Thursday, July 23, and Pauline, Pete and the family have been overwhelmed by and very grateful for the wonderful support, both at the funeral and through cards and good wishes over the last few days. We were all overjoyed that Lindsey and Grace could travel from Australia to be with us.

The family would like to thank E.C. Thomas and Son, funeral directors, in particular Stewart and Elizabeth, for organising and leading a wonderful celebration of Muriel’s life, and The New Inn, Amroth, for a very warm welcome and wonderful spread – as always.

Donations in memory of Muriel can made to Macmillan Cancer Support c/o E.C. Thomas and Son, Zoar Chapel Funeral Home, Llant