Mr M K T Foley

Manorbier

A VERY large number of friends and relatives gathered at Parc Gwyn Crematorium on Tuesday March 7, for the funeral of recently retired businessman, Mr Mike Foley, of Greenacres Water Garden, who had suddenly passed away on February 18 whilst walking on the beach at Manorbier, a place he loved.

His passing is a great shock and loss to the family and all who knew him.

Mike was born in East Ham, London, the younger of two children of Thomas and Lilian Foley. To escape war torn London, the family were evacuated to Street in Somerset.

His father at the time was serving with the army in North Africa.

After the war, his happiest childhood memories were, along with extended family going annually to Kent for the hop-picking, where his love for the countryside began.

After leaving school, he joined the Territorial Army, which took him to Germany for most of his training.

In the mid-sixties, he was employed by Trinity House, supplying and maintaining various lighthouses around the British Isles. Mike became familiar with Pembrokeshire whilst visiting Nash Point, an added bonus being that he had met a Pembrokeshire girl, Jane, working in London, and was able to stay with her parents at New Inn Farm, Redberth.

In February 1968, Mike and Jane were married at St Florence Church, and settled in their first home in Hornchurch, Essex, where their son, Luke, was born in December 1969.

Mike had become interested in breeding and rearing fancy goldfish as a hobby, and an opportunity arose through work to move to Pembrokeshire.

At Knapp Cottage, Redberth, Mike began selling cold water and tropical fish from his garden shed, which grew like topsy, until the birth of ‘Penfro Pets Aquatics’ opened in Bush Street.

It became very successful and later expanded to larger premises in Meyrick Street, Pembroke Dock, Mike also became involved with the first animal park at Manor House, St Florence, collecting many varieties of animals for the opening and setting up the indoor aquarium, which was the beginning of the success it is today.

In 1985 Greenacres was purchased, the idea being to open and specialise in water gardening, a new concept for the area. Through hard work and the help from family and friends digging out pounds, laying paths, landscaping and planting, Greenacres Water Garden Centre opened to the public in spring 1986.

Due to the hard work of son.

Luke, and colleague, Dave Williams, the business expanded over time into a tropical and marine centre.

Mikes true interest was Koi Carp, importing special varieties from Japan and Israel, with customers coming from far and wide, knowing they could purchase top quality fish, at a very fair price.

Mike was a past member of Tenby and Saundersfoot Lions Club and enjoyed the camaraderie of organising the charity events.

He was also a vintage car enthusiast, purchasing a Bugatti and getting great pleasure from entering the annual Milford to Tenby vintage run.

During the 47 years living in Pembrokeshire, he had made numerous and lasting friendships and had a gift of being comfortable in anyone’s company. Always ready to help out a customer from his Aladdin’s cave of a shed with some filtration fitting or other, which they couldn’t get anywhere else.

He loved the Pembrokeshire countryside and being part of the local community.

Mike was a much loved father of Luke; father-in-law to Tammy; Grampa to three beautiful granddaughters, Tegan, Maisy and Lottie; everlasting friend to Jane; and many more cousins, nieces and nephews too numerous to mention.

Lifelong friends travelled from Spain, Holland, Scotland and London to attend his funeral, but sadly his cousins Mrs Maureen Sutton and Mr and Mrs Keith were unable to attend.

The service was sincerely officiated by long-term family friend Pastor Peter Morgan.

The bearers were Luke Foley, David Williams, Martin Johns, Philip Percival, Emil Chwistek and Michael Bosley.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to ‘Bloodwise’ c/o the funeral directors Messrs W and M J Rossiter and Sons Ltd, The Old Rectory, The Norton, Tenby, who also carried out the funeral arrangements.

Mr J D Lloyd

Pembroke

MR JOHN Douglas Lloyd passed away at Withybush Hospital on February 20 at the age of 83.

He was a resident at Ashdale Care Home, Pembroke.

Formerly of Ambleston, he worked at Trecwn RNAD during the 40s and 50s, then ICI Botany Bay, Australia between 1958 and 1961, he then worked on the construction of Pembroke Power Station and Regent (Texaco) oil refinery in 1960s and Gulf Oil Refinery (1960s-mid 1970s).

When he retired due to ill health in the mid 1970s he was a refinery operative at Gulf Oil Refinery.

He carried out his national service for the Royal Engineers, British Element Trieste Force 1953-1954.

His main interests were DIY, animals, rugby, football, music and reading.

His other interests included being a church warden at St Tudwal’s Church for the parish of Llanstadwell.

The family left to mourn are Diana Lloyd (wife); Sue Watkins (daughter); Jane and Simon Haigh (daughter and son-in-law); Adrian Lloyd (son); Ben Hawthorn, Olivia Hawthorn, Yasmin Haigh, Carla Lloyd, Annalee Lloyd (grandchildren); Katherine Philbin, Rhys Oakley, Julia Perkins, Angela John and June Hughes (nieces and nephew); Robert and Lyn Griffiths (close family friends); John Gay (close family friend).

The service was held on March 6 at St Tudwals Church, in Llanstadwell followed by cremation at Parc Gwyn Crematorium.

It was officiated by Canon Alan Chadwick and the bearers were Mr Rhys Oakley, Mr Ben Hawthorn, Mr Robert Griffiths and Mr John Joseph Mitchell.

There were family flowers only with donations in lieu to Multiple Systems Atrophy Trust (in memory of John Lloyd), 51 St Olav’s Court, Lower Road, London SA16 2XB or www.everydayhero.

com/uk/john-lloyd The funeral arrangements were carried out by Tom Newing and Sons Ltd, of Milford Haven.

Mrs E E M Phillips

Jameston

EDNA Evelyn May Phillips passed away recently on January 29.

Edna was the widow of the late William ‘Billy’ Phillips of Bush Terrace, Jameston, and the mother of Susie Goodrick and Janice Gooch.

A native of the village of Angle, Edna attended Angle school. At the age of 15 she left school and got a job helping in Angle Rectory, moving into Angle House and shop where her sister Doreen also worked for Mr and Mrs Davies.

She left there and went on to the Globe Hotel in Angle as a chambermaid. Following on from that she worked in the Castle House, Angle looking after all the officers wives.

Edna also worked and spent a lot of time on Studak Farm with her brother Bertie until the family moved to Manorbier Newton to Newton Farm which her brother Bertie owned.

Edna’s final job before retirement was in Manorbier School working as a dinner lady.

With the help and support of the Argyle surgery, doctors and district nursing team Edna was able to be nursed and cared for in her own home as she had requested.

Edna passed away peacefully and in comfort, with her daughter Suzy, grandson Paul and wife Linda by her side.

Edna was predeceased by her husband Billy, also sister Doreen, brothers Billy, Bertie and Teddie and her great granddaughter Dana.

The love for her family was known to everyone and from the photographs on show in her home she was proud to be the Nan, great Nan, great great Nan and Aunty everybody loved so much.

Her support to her great grandson Jonathon was outstanding and to see him now with his own little family made her so proud.

Edna loved to be surrounded by her family - three grandsons, Michael, Richard and Paul, four great grandsons Jonathon, Billy, Tyler and Alex, three great grand daughters Ruby, Dana and Jill. Also a wonderful achievement for Edna was that she became a great great Nanny to Kiara- Grace and Bibi- Rose making five generations twice over.

There was a large attendance to the funeral service that was held on February 13 at St. James Church, Manorbier officiated by Rev Alex Grace who delivered the eulogy and Linda, Edna’s granddaughter read the poem ‘She Is Gone’. The bearers were Derek Richards (nephew), Peter, Andrew and Phillip Kidney (family friends).

The family left to mourn are Susie Goodrick and William Rossiter (daughter and partner); Janice Gooch (daughter); Michael and Julie (grandson and wife); Richard and Alison (grandson and partner); Paul and Linda (grandson and wife); Jonathon and Joanne, Billy and Shannon, Tyler and Shannah (great grandsons and partners); Alex (great grandson); Ruby and Jill (great granddaughters); Kiara-Grace and Bibi - Rose (great great granddaughters); Winford and Sophie Phillips (brotherin- law and sister-in-law) plus nieces, nephews, close family and friends too numerous to mention.

The funeral arrangement were carried out by E.C.

Thomas and Son, of Llanteg, Narberth.