Mr Fred Williams

Pembroke

THE FUNERAL of Frederick Joseph Protheroe Williams took place at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth on March 24 in a service officiated by the Rev Huw George.

Rev George delivered a tribute to Fred’s long life to a packed congregation of relatives and friends.

Fred was first rushed to Withybush Hospital on January 18. Thanks to all staff on Ward 4 in two weeks he was well enough to move to Sunderland Ward at South Pembs Hospital to recuperate. After several weeks at South.

Pembs and two days before he was due to go home Fred again became ill and was transferred to the High Dependency Unit at Glangwili where after tests it was decided that surgery was not an option and was transferred to Preseli Ward to spend his last hours surrounded by his family.

He passed away peacefully on Sunday March 12 aged 92. The family are grateful to all three hospitals for the care and kindness Fred received.

Fred was born in Jameston near Manorbier on November 1924 to John and Ethel Williams later followed by brothers Dennis and Colin. He was educated at Manorbier VC School and Coronation School Pembroke Dock. He left school at 15 to enter the Navy as an Artificer Apprentice.

In 1944 he was posted to HMS Arethusa, a light cruiser, where he saw D Day action bombarding the defences behind Sword Beach. Being at action stations in the engine room meant that he did not actually see France until he visited on a ‘Heroes Return’ tour with sons Chris and Mike in 2010.

Fred left the Navy in 1949 after marrying Megan Rossiter, of St Florence, in 1948.

Son Christopher was born in 1949 son Michael in 1950 and daughter Jennifer in 1955.

Fred worked for a short time as a Prudential Insurance collector, becoming a familiar sight on his rounds in the South of the county on his James motorcycle, but soon returned to his roots working on ship repairs for RS Hayes at Pembroke Dock. After Hayes closure in the late 50’s Fred worked at the Atomic Research Facility at Harwell but disliked being away from his family so started work at the United Dairies in Whitland, later transferring to Pensarn Dairy in Carmarthen. After the Dairies closed Fred and Meg moved back to Pembroke in 1973 and Fred began work at Hancocks Shipyard in Pembroke Dock on the construction of ore carriers and water tractors in what is now the Maritime Heritage Yard.

After Hancocks closed Fred went into contracting working on the refinery sites until his retirement at a little over 65. In retirement he devoted his time to looking after Meg until her passing in 2007.

Fred had been a useful hockey player in younger days even playing the occasional game into his forties. He also played table tennis for the Whitland Dairies Club.

Gardening was an enduring interest that family and neighbours all benefitted from as Fred would turn up with tomatoes, cucumbers, new potatoes or kidney beans right up until three or four years ago when mobility became a problem. Latterly he could be found reading, doing crosswords or Sudoku and always welcomed friends and neighbours in for a yarn.

He had strong moral values which he demonstrated in his Union work and his even handed way of dealing with everyone he met so that they all became friends rather than acquaintances.

Fred loved to spend time with his Grandchildren and later their children. All have happy memories of time spent in the garden, collecting bean sticks, car rides, walks along beaches or headlands and if well behaved the issue of a Werthers toffee. All benefitted from his knowledge of plants and wildlife.

Family left to mourn are son Chris; son Mike and wife Janice; daughter Jenny and husband Phil; brother Dennis; grandchildren Stephen and wife Michelle, Nicola and husband Paul, Joanne and partner Mark, Melanie and husband Justin, Richard and wife Tammy and Andrew; greatgrandchildren Kristy and partner Phil, Alex and partner Elli, Jacob and partner Kamille, Megan, Jack, Jodee, Evan, Georgia, twins Rhys and Samuel, Jack and Fred; great greatgrandchildren Preston and Stanley.

In a service led by the Rev Huw George the bearers were Mark Francis, Stephen Williams, Paul Hart, Justin Powney, Richard Parry and Andrew Williams. Whitland Male Voice Choir sang the ‘Rev Eli Jenkins Prayer’ and ‘For the Fallen’.

The family express their gratitude to the Rev Huw George for a service conducted with great feeling and good humour, Whitland Male Voice Choir for a moving performance, Neil Roberts and Phil Lloyd for the funeral arrangements and the Begelly Arms for the refreshments.

There were family flowers only but donations in Freds memory may be made to The Pembrokeshire Cancer Support Group and Blind Veterans UK c/o John Roberts and Son, Funeral Directors, 51 Bush St, Pembroke Dock, SA72 6AN.

Freds ashes are to be interred with Megans in the Garden of Rest at St Florence Church.

 

Mr C M J Fry

Amroth

MR CHARLES Michael John Fry, affectionately known as Mike passed away at his home in Amroth on February 23. He was 78.

Mike was a former Commanding Officer of the Tenby Sea Cadet Corps, Chairman of Pembrokeshire Junior Rugby Association, President of Pembrokeshire Youth and President of Tenby United RFC He was married to Jocelyn.

The funeral service was held on March 9 at St. Mary`s Church, Tenby followed by cremation at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth.

It was officiated by Rev Joel Barder who was assisted by Father Paul Davies, organist was Dr. John Harrison, lesson read by Alun Jones – secretary of Tenby United RFC.

The eulogy was given by Richard Quinn – ex Sea Cadet and family friend, and by Gareth Thomas – son–in–law.

Officers and cadets of the Tenby Sea Cadet Unit formed a guard of honour and Sunset was performed at the end of the service. Members of Tenby United RFC escorted the cortege from St. Mary`s Church.

The bearers were Jeremy Fry, son; Gareth Thomas, sonin- law; Charlie Fry, grandson; Kenny Davies, representing Pembs Junior Rugby; Luke Hansford, captain Tenby United RFC, Idwal David, Representing Tenby Sea Cadet Corps, and also at the Crematorium together with Kate Thomas, grand-daughter and Luke Thomas, grandson.

Unable to attend was Taylor Fry, grandson.

There was a family wreath only with donations, if desired for, The WRU Charitable Trust to E.C. Thomas & Son, Funeral Directors, Zoar Chapel Funeral Home, Llanteg, Narberth SA67 8QH who carried out the funeral arrangements.

 

Mrs J D Orchard

Pembroke

THE FUNERAL was held on March 17 of Jennifer Diana Orchard (affectionately known as Jenny) of Pembroke.

The service was held at Parc Gwyn Crematorium and officiated by Reverend Mike Brotherton. Jenny passed away suddenly whilst on holiday in Bournemouth on February 17 aged 69.

A native of Pembroke, she was born at Long Mains, Monkton to Enid and Tom Chilton. She was the youngest of seven children.

She started her working life in the Holyland Hotel in Pembroke before taking up employment in the woollen factory. After she married Harry she became a homemaker and later on a devoted mother to Cerie and Christopher.

Although she had problems health wise, she made the most of each and every day with Harry, her husband of nearly 45 years.

Her many hobbies over the years included dancing, singing, playing bingo and being with people. There was always laughter around her.

She was also known for her crafting, in particular knitting and card making. She also did a lot of knitting for charities.

In the last 20 years Jenny enjoyed playing whist, both locally and in later years in Bournemouth, where she made many a good friend.

Jenny will be sorely missed by all that knew her.

Family left to mourn Harry (husband); Cerie and Huw (daughter and son-in-law); Michelle (step daughter); Katie, Sophie and Evan (grandchildren); Joey and Maya (great grandchildren); Shelia and John (sister and brotherin- law); Shirley (sister); Michael (brother); and nieces and nephews.

There were family flowers only, with donations going to the Air Ambulance. If desired, donations to be sent to Lee Wilkins, Plaindealings, Hayscastle, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, SA62 5QD.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by E C Thomas & Son, Zoar Chapel Funeral Home, Llanteg. Narberth.

 

Mrs S T Thomas

Haverfordwest

MRS SHEILA Trudy Thomas of Augustine Way, Haverfordwest passed away at Withybush Hospital on March 15.

She was 69.

Originally from Haverfordwest she spent most of her later working life at Pridmores Bakery in Snowdrop Lane, where she retired from ten years ago.

She was devoted to her husband and grandchildren, she loved walking her dog at Withybush Woods and also she enjoyed line dancing with her many friends.

The family left to mourn and principal mourners are Mr Gwynfor John Thomas (husband); Mark and Debbie Joel (son and daughter-inlaw); Susan and Phillip Hoare (daughter and son-in-law); Ann and Robert Eden (daughter and son-in-law); Tracey, Shirley and Justin (step children); Becci, Thomas, Luke, Bethan, Katie, Hanna, Shaun and Daniel (grandchildren); James, Johnathan, Nathan, Iwan, Lauren, Adam, Paige, Finley, Cody, Cory, Leah and Mia.

The funeral service was held at Parc Gwyn Crematorium and was officiated by Mike Ashbridge, celebrant, and the bearers were Mark, Phil, Rob and Thomas.

Donations in lieu of flowers are for the Intensive Care Unit at Withybush Hospital.

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

 

Mr C D James

Cardiff (formerly of Haverfordwest)

ON FEBRUARY 23 at St Martins Church, Haverfordwest, hundreds of mourners attended the funeral of Mr Chris James (aged 35) of Cardiff, formerly of St Martins Park, Haverfordwest. It was testimony to his popularity that so many travelled to pay their last respects to this much loved man.

He passed away at his home in Cardiff.

Chris was the eldest son of Andrew and Janet and first grandchild for the late Dennis and Margery Williams and Mrs Olwen James. When his younger brother Martin came along, the family moved from Steynton to Hill Mountain where they lived for the next 15 years.

He attended Burton School with great enthusiasm. It was here, and at Burton Cubs, that his love of music and football began, the latter not always with the success of the former. During this time many friendships were formed that lasted for his lifetime.

Chris began to play the piano and keyboard from a very young age, following in the family’s musical footsteps.

He joined his first band in junior school and from then on knew in his heart what he wanted to do.

Chris moved to Tasker Milward Secondary School where he continued to play his music and entertain his friends. He also enjoyed sport and played rugby for the school First XV but his first love was football, especially Manchester United and along with his brother he attended as many games as he could.

He was also a huge Wales fan and was lucky enough to win tickets for the Euro 2016 semi-final in France.

He moved to Cardiff in 2002 to attend university but when after a year this didn’t work out, loved city life so much that he stayed, giving him more of a chance to keep playing his music. It took many moves and many jobs before he made the decision to use his music and go back to university. This was the best decision he ever made as he thrived working with other like-minded people.

Chris was due to graduate in the summer and was getting well known in Cardiff as a keyboard player, when he unexpectedly passed away.

The family left to mourn are Janet and Andrew (mum and dad); Martin and Samantha (brother and sister-in-law); Dylan and Ella (nephew and niece). Also present were his uncle Nigel, cousins Lisa and Ben Williams and many other family members from around the country.

The huge congregation of family and friends listened to one of Chris’ favourite songs “Slide Away” performed by Ali Price and Scott Guy, two of his friends from Cardiff.

The bearers were Martin James (brother), Joel and Luke Hardaker, Rhys Buckley, Tim Hendy, Brendan Monnelly, Stuart Griffiths and Mike Harrison (close friends).

There were floral tributes from family and friends.

The family are grateful Rev Alun Evans and all staff at Tom Newing and Sons for their help and support at this sad time.