Mr M J Hughes

Monkton

FAMILY and friends packed Monkton Priory Church on August 9 to celebrate the life, and mourn the loss of Martin James Hughes of The Old Conduit, Monkton.

Martin died on Monday July 29.

He was 54 years old.

The youngest of three children from a well-known Pembroke family, Martin was the only son of Jim and the late Marjorie Hughes, formerly of Merchants Park, Pembroke.

He was remembered as a much-loved and highly-regarded sportsman. In his younger days, he played rugby for Pembroke Rugby Club; kept goal for Monkton Swifts and occasionally Pennar Robins; was a talented all-rounder for Pembroke Cricket Club; enjoyed golf at Pembroke Dock Golf Club and played darts, snooker and pool, primarily at the Eastgate Hotel.

In 1980, just days after his 18th birthday, Martin was involved in a catastrophic, life-changing accident when the car in which he was a passenger collided with a parked lorry.

This tragic episode resulted in a critical spinal cord injury and Martin was left with tetraplegia, paralysed from the neck down and in need of round-the-clock support for the rest of his days.

But just as his physical strength saw him through the accident, now his strength of character saw him through this very bleak time.

He lived in hospitals for more than two years, including Withybush, Cardiff Royal Infirmary and Rookwood and would return to various hospitals many times throughout his life.

Martin eventually returned home to pick up the threads of his life.

He was cared for and supported to live as independently as he could by his devoted parents.

His mother died unexpected in 1991, leaving Martin and his father to again reconfigure their lives. They formed a tight, supportive team and made as good a life for themselves as they could. Together they faced – and overcame - many challenges, with very little formal support until recent years, but with welcome assistance from a small group of family and friends. His sisters and families visited whenever they could.

Without the selfless care and support Martin received from his father, he could not have managed to live as comfortably as possible at home for the rest of his life.

Martin’s TV and computer were his windows on the world and in recent years, he was able to reconnect with many old friends and make new ones through social media.

His sporting obsession never diminished and he added horse racing to his list of favourites but the Ryder Cup, Welsh rugby and his beloved West Ham were his passions.

He also had a great love of music and amassed a remarkable music collection over the years.

In later years, he also developed an interest in songbirds; his cageful of ‘singers’ woke him each morning and he was fascinated by the birds’ lives and interactions.

He will be remembered for his amazing sense of humour that never failed him, even during his last illness; his patience and cheerfulness in the face of adversity; his generosity and mostly, his devotion to his father, who he loved and cared for until his dying day.

Family mourners included Jim Hughes (father); Jennifer and Robert Bassett (sister and brother-in-law); Sally and the late Kurt Hast (sister and brother-in-law); Jonathon and Andrew Bassett and partners (nephews, Perth, Western Australia, unable to attend); Daryl Hast and Carol Hast Whelan and partners (nephew and niece, Portsmouth, unable to attend); Betty and Alec Cotterill (aunt and uncle); Stella Hughes (aunt, unable to attend); Glen and Den Headley (aunt and uncle) and many cousins.

Martin was buried in his West Ham shirt and mourners wore purple, his favourite colour, to celebrate his life.

The bearers were his brother-in-law Robert Bassett, Andrew and Eamon Thomas (lifelong friends), Johnny Morgan, Iwan Brain and Dai Davies (family friends).

The funeral director was Neil Roberts of John Roberts and Sons, Pembroke Dock.

The Reverend Paul Nash officiated.

Mr C C Hart

Haverfordwest

CYRIL passed away at home on September 21, aged 85, he was the youngest of six children of Clifford and Martha Hart Portfield, Haverfordwest.

Cyril left school at 14 and served his apprenticeship as a carpenter with Sidney Davies Undertaker, Dew Street moving to Haverfordwest Rural District Council and later as maintenance inspector with Preseli District Council.

His main hobbies were gardening and snooker.

Portfield has lost one of its oldest residents.

He was predeceased by his wife Ivy (nee Adams, Llandissilio) in 1986.

Cyril is survived by Jayne (daughter); Dave (son); John (grandson); Wilfred (brother); Cynthia (sister); Pat,Graham, Lynn, Tim, Liz, Philip, Jane, John and Tony (nephews and nieces).

The funeral took place at Parc Gwyn, Narberth on Wednesday October 5 and was officiated by Rev Huw George.

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

Mrs I D Roberts

Pembroke Dock

MRS Ivy Doreen Roberts passed away peacefully on Monday September 19 at Ashdale Care Home, Pembroke.

She was 93 years.

Ivy was predeceased by her beloved husband William and son Bruce from her first marriage.

Originally from Bridgend, Ivy moved to Pembrokeshire when she was a young girl, and settled in Pembroke Dock.

Ivy was married twice and had five children from her first marriage and four from her second. Ivy was very much a family person and loved being surrounded by her family especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Ivy leaves to mourn Nancy, Violet, Dilys and son-in-law Hayden; David, Roy and daughter-in-law Christine; Walwyn and daughter-in-law Caroline; Mary and son-in-law John and Michael, daughter-in-law Sophie plus all of her beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren, together with friends too numerous to mention.

The funeral service was held at Monkton Priory Church, Monkton on Thursday September 29 and was attended by a large gathering of family and friends prior to interment at St. Michael`s Cemetery, Pembroke, where Ivy was interred with her beloved husband William.

The bearers were Walwyn and Michael (sons), Daniel and Jason (grand-daughters husbands), and Teddy (close friend).

The funeral arrangements were carried out by E C Thomas and Son, Funeral Directors, Pembroke Dock.