Captain N R Brown

Haverfordwest

CAPTAIN Norman Robert Brown died suddenly but peacefully at the Victoria General Hospital, in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada in the early hours of Sunday January 8 whilst visiting family. Mary, his wife of 54 years and his daughter Sue were by his side.

Although a native of Milford Haven, following his marriage to Mary Brown (nee Walters) in 1963, he resided in Haverfordwest thereafter.

After leaving Milford Haven Grammar School, he attended Sir William Reardon Smith’s School of Marine Navigation in Cardiff, before joining his first ship with that company.

He sailed with the Reardon Smith line for 16 years, and visited many countries and continents attaining the rank of Chief Officer. In 1971, he joined Sealink at Fishguard, returning to Pembrokeshire and his young family. Norman remained in Fishguard until 1994 when he retired as Senior Master aboard the M.F. Stena Felicity.

Following his retirement, Norman found an outlet for hobbies in the Haverfordwest Bowling Club, and was very active, not just as a player, but as unofficial Club photographer and webmaster. He was also joint team selector for his beloved St. Thomas team - who were promoted to the first division last season much to Norman’s delight.

Norman was a proud family man, he was adored by his grandchildren as Grandpa / “Bapa Beard” and was a source of constant wonder and fun with an endless supply of tall tales and tickles for the kids.

The funeral service was held at Albany Church, on January 27, where the very large congregation was a testament to his popularity, and to the respect he commanded in the community.

Rev Hugh-John Wilson officiated a fitting funeral service, during which Steve, (Norman’s eldest son) read Christina Rossetti’s “Remember”

and Mr Michael Richards, representing Haverfordwest Bowling Club read a very moving eulogy.

The interment was at City Road Cemetery. The bearers were Mr Trevor Harries and Michael Codd, Capt. Chris Burge, Capt. Tony Lucas and Norman’s nephews Capt.Ian Swales, and Mr Bertie Brown.

Left to mourn are his wife Mary, his children and their partners Steve and Jane, Sue and Jonathan (Bengtson) and Symon and Louise. Norman was a loving grandfather to his five grandchildren Seren, Rhys, Laura, Nate and Luke; Julian and Penny Brown (brother and sister-in-law); Bertie Brown and Ian Swales (nephews) and Marion Cornwell (niece) and her daughter Anna, Aileen Joyce (aunt) and Helen Joyce (cousin).

Jonathan and Rhys Bengtson and June Miller (cousin) were unable to attend.

There were family flowers only and donations to the RNLI at www.rnli.org. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Roy Folland and Son, Haverfordwest.

Mr J O Shanklin

Lamphey

MR JOHN Owen Shanklin passed away peacefully on January 17 at Ashdale Nursing Home, Pembroke after a short stay. Prior to that he had been a patient at Withybush Hospital for just over four months.

He was 78 and from Flemish Court, Lamphey.

He grew up at Church Farm, East Williamston.

John had a varied working life, starting at a young age working on the family farm, followed by contracting with farm machinery. He spent many years in the construction industry, working with plant machinery and then as a pipe fitter.

Later he moved on to tree surgery, and spent his final years turning a hobby into working as a fisherman with his own boat ‘Jay-O’.

In his younger days, John played rugby for Pembroke RFC, and was a member of their committee for many years. He was a keen winemaker.

In later years he spent many hours researching the family tree, and much has been recorded in very fine detail.

His wife Barbara passed away in November 2012 after almost 54 years of marriage.

The family left to mourn are Susan and Maurice Jones (daughter and son-inlaw); Christopher and Rose Shanklin, Owen and Tina Shanklin (sons and daughters- in-law); Sandra Shanklin and Mark Thomas (daughter and partner); Carley and Steven Gwyther, Craig and Jemma Jones, Laura Shanklin and John Williams, Sarah Shanklin, Wayne, Kevin and Carly and Samantha Shanklin, Jamie Adams and Jo Williams, Phoebe Thomas (grandchildren and spouses/ partners); Jack, Oliver, Sophia and Amelia (great grandchildren); Bron and Ron Hurlow, Jim Shanklin and Betty and Byron Mansell (sisters, brothers and brothers- in-law), together with numerous nephews, nieces and other family members.

The funeral service was held at Parc Gwyn, Narberth on January 30 and was packed to capacity.

The service was officiated by Revd Nanette Lewis-Head who paid a fitting tribute to the celebration of John’s life.

The bearers were John’s grandsons Wayne Shanklin, Jamie Adams, Craig Jones and Kevin Shanklin.

Donations for The Paul Sartori Foundation and RNLI Angle may be sent c/o E C Thomas and Sons, Zoar Chapel Funeral Home, Llanteg, Narberth, who carried out the funeral arrangements.

Mrs A Jones

Little Haven

MRS ANN Jones (nee Milsom) of Little Haven, passed away suddenly at Withybush Hospital on January 10. She was 77.

Born in 1939 in Crossskeys, Gwent but she spent most of her early life in Risca living with her mother, aunt Evelyn, cousin Jennifer and her grandparents John and Edith Tucker (nee Watkins), whilst her father Bill and uncle John were serving in World War II.

Her uncle Howard Tucker was killed in an air raid over Germany in 1941 at 21 years of age. Such was the way of dealing with family tragedies that Ann only learned of this at nine years of age when she found a letter in her mother’s bedside cabinet.

The Watkins’ family were well known for their musical talent. Her great grandfather conducted the Risca Choral Society and her aunt Mary won a gold medal singing in the National Eisteddfod.

Ann was always singing and became an accomplished piano player achieving Grade Eight.

After leaving Pontywaun Grammer School in 1957 she was employed at the N.C.B offices in Abercarn and was married at Moriah Baptist Chapel, Risca in 1960. Early married life was hectic with frequent house moving around Cardiff and London due to her husband David’s work as a trainee hospital doctor and a growing family of five sons. Also her mother Olwen died at 48 years when Ann was only 28 years of age.

She first took up choral singing with the University Hospital of Wales Choir which gave many popular recitals in concert halls, churches and cathedrals in S.E. Wales. After moving to Pembrokeshire in 1973 she was delighted to be accepted as a member of Cor Dyfed under the leadership of John S.Davies where she made many friends and experienced the joy of performing at many notable venues with leading orchestras such as the Royal Liverpool and Bournemouth Symphony and famous conductors such as Sir Neville Mariner.

In 1995 she suffered another tragic loss with the death of her 23 year old son Meirion in a R.T.A on the Island of Corfu.

He had only gone there six weeks earlier because he was unable to find work in this country using his Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He had been rapidly promoted to become manager of the Marine engine section of a holiday sailing company.

The family left to mourn were David (husband); Howard, David, Tudor and Gethin (sons); Owen, Rhys, Holly, Samuel, Lucy, George (grandchildren); Sarah, Deborah and Louise (daughters-inlaw).

Many friends and family attended a moving funeral service at All Saints Church, Walton West smoothly officiated by the Revs Diana Hoare and David Meanwell on January 20 followed by interment in the churchyard with her son Meirion.

The bearers were her sons Howard, David, Tudor, Gethin, Philip Rees and her nephew- in-law Craig Davidson.

Donations for Paul Sartori Foundation may be forwarded to Deborah Jones 11 Swanswell Close, Broad Haven, SA62 3LW.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by FG Rees and Sons, of Portfield Gate.

Mr T Barrett

Milford Haven

MR THOMAS Barrett passed away February 9 at Canterbury House Care Home, Priory Road, Milford Haven.

He was 98.

Originally from Marble Hall Road, Milford Haven he was a stable lad at the age of 14 in Gloucestershire and worked for Pembrokeshire County Council until his retirement (formally Pembs District). He had a corner shop in Robert Street, Milford Haven.

He served in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers and then volunteered for the 2nd Independent Parachutes Brigade.

His main interests were renovating classic cars, classic car rallies on oversea’s tours and also horse racing.

He was predeceased by his wife Marie in 1993.

The funeral service was held on February 16 and was officiated by Cannon John Davies.

Donations to the Royal British Legion c/o Mrs T Howlin, Kinneswood, Withybush Road, Haverfordwest.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Tom Newing and Sons Ltd of Milford Haven.

Mrs E Garton

Milford Haven

MRS ETHEL Garton passed away on January 31 at Canterbury House, Priory Road, Milford Haven.

She was 99.

Originally from Birkenhead, Cheshire she worked as a housekeeper for a doctor and his sister, when living in Milford Haven she worked as a cleaner in Rabiottis Restaurant and the Starboard Hotel and also she potato picked locally.

Her main interests were knitting, playing the piano and spending time with her family.

She was predeceased by her husband Mr Walter Burnett Garton.

The family left to mourn and principal mourners are Sylvia and Brian Dickin, Sheila and Edwards Potter, Pam and Ernie Sturley, Freddy and Vicky Garton (children), plus grandchildren, great and great great grandchildren too numerous to mention).

The service was held at Christ Church, Priory Road, Milford Haven on February 8 followed by cremation at Parc Gwyn, Narberth.

The service was officiated by Lorette Hinson and the bearers were Kevin Dickin, Tony Potter, Adrian Sturley and Andrew Sturley.

There were immediate family flowers only with donations to The Paul Sartori Foundation c/o Mrs C Rendell, 7 Liddeston Close, Milford Haven.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Tom Newing and Sons Ltd of Milford Haven.

Mr N Howard

Princes Gate

THE death occurred peacefully on January 1 of Noel Howard, he was 83 and had lived in Princes Gate for many years before moving to North Wales more recently.

Noel worked at the Elf Refinery and was a governor at Tavernspite School.

Noel is survived by his daughter, son, daughter-inlaw and three grandchildren.

An informal memorial service will be held near Oswestry, Shropshire on March 11.

If you’d like to attend please phone Karol on 07788 840947 or Chris on 07770 640519. Donations to St. Kentigern Hospice, St. Asaph.