Obituaries for March 21 2018

Walwyns Castle

MR Arthur George of Rosepool Court, Walwyns Castle passed away peacefully on December 29 at Withybush Hospital.

Arthur was born in the area and farmed all his life at Rosepool. Although farming was his main interest, he also loved sport, representing his school Dawnseys in Wiltshire at boxing, athletics, hockey, cricket and his favourite, rugby. He also played scrum half for Haverfordwest RFC.

He joined Haverfordwest YFC and it was during this time that he met his wife Valerie, they married in 1963 and had two children Andrew and Elizabeth.

In 1996 he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s but he was still able to keep farming with Andrew until he retired in 2007. He and Valerie joined the local Parkinson’s group where they made many good friends.

The funeral service was held at St James Church, Walwyn’s Castle on January 6. It was officiated by Canon Rhiannon Johnston and Rev Anne Rendell, the organist being Edna Davies. The family left to mourn are Valeria (wife); Andrew and Enfys (son and daughter-in-law); Elizabeth and Julian (daughter and son-in-law); William and Rosemary (brother and sister-in-law); Rosemary and Bernard, Hilary and Meurig (sisters-in-law and bothers-in-law); Nigel and Shirley (brother-in-law and sister-in-law); Eleanor, Isabel, Nia, Carys, Sian and Geraint (grandchildren) and also nephews and nieces.

The bearers were Julian Forster, Richard George, Paul Raymond and Simon Richards.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by F G Rees and Son of Haverfordwest.

Mr T J Powell

Kilgetty

MR Trevor John Powell (known as John) of Kilgetty passed away at Withybush Hospital on January 21. He was 81.

During his working life, he learned his trade as a mechanic, then went to do his National Service in the Army. After coming out of the Army, John worked at the diaries in Whitland and got married to Margaret whilst working there. John had various occupations, driving lorries, cranes and spent 17 years on the oil rigs in the North Sea.

His main interests were his family, he loved having his grandchildren to call, meeting his many friends. John enjoyed swimming in the sea in his younger days, and would swim from Tenby to Caldey – and back no bother at all. Later in life he enjoyed the swimming pool, all sorts of fishing. John enjoyed his many family holidays mainly in Scotland.

The family left to mourn are Margaret I Powell (wife); Janetta and Paul Williams (daughter and son-in-law; Kevin and Cathy Powell (son and daughter-in-law); Wendy Davies (daughter); Carol and Darren O’Donnell (daughter and son-in-law); Richard and Michael Bowen and families (nephews); Margaret, Kizzy, Ryan, Barry, Leon, Daniel, Ellen, Stephen, Luke and Bethan (grandchildren); Lewis, Amy, Noah, Dominic, Daniella, Jenson, Kyden, Tyler, Esme and Osain, Elliott (great grandchildren) plus cousins too numerous to mention.

The funeral service took place at Parc Gwyn, and it was officiated by Revd Hywel Brown. The bearers were Ryan, Barry, Leon, Daniel, Stephen and Luke (grandsons).

Donations for Diabetes UK c/o E C Thomas and Son, Funeral Directors, Llanteg, SA67 8QH, who also carried out the funeral arrangements.

Mr P J Dyer

Milford Haven

THE funeral took place of Mr Philip John Dyer of Elizabeth Venmore Court, Milford Haven on Friday March 17.

Philip died peacefully after a short stay in hospital on Wednesday March 7.

Predeceased by his mother Ethel and sister Dorothy, he leaves to mourn his wife Catherine.

The chief mourners were Catherine (wife); Vanda (daughter); Rebecca Ieuan and Chel-C (grandchildren); also Joy, Rebecca and Betty (family). Unable to attend was Thomas (brother-in-law).

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

Mrs C P Panton

Pentlepoir

THE death of Pam Panton occurred peacefully on February 18 at Caldey Grange Care Home in Pentlepoir.

The funeral took place on March 5 at Tabernacle United Reformed Church, Pembroke, presided over by the Rev. Nanette Head, followed by interment at St Michael's Cemetery. The bearers were Neil Gwyther (grandson), Mark Cook (grandson), Gareth Johnson (granddaughter's husband) and Alex Frearson (granddaughter's partner).

Principal mourners were Linda and Philip (daughter and son-in-law); Steven and Ann (son and daughter-in-law); Stuart and Gill (son and daughter-in-law); Helen and David (daughter and son-in-law); Stella and Gerald (daughter and partner).

Pam was born in Swansea to parents Doris and Clarence Llewellyn. Pam met Dennis Panton when her family moved to Pembroke in the 1940s. She worked for a time in the Handkerchief Factory in Pembroke as a secretary and also helped out in her parents’ confectionary and tobacconist shop in the Main Street. Later her parents, brother Laurence and sister Vivian emigrated to Canada where Pam still has 10 nieces and nephews. Pam also enjoyed many happy years as a dinner lady at Golden Manor School.

Pam and Dennis married in 1950 and had five children Linda, Steven, Stuart, Helen and Stella. After some years, Pam joined the WI and enjoyed organising the entertainment and performing dance routines with other members. She also enjoyed gardening and playing whist at the local village halls. As well as a good pianist she loved music and enjoyed listening to Andre Rieu.

Another of Pam's undoubted skills was dancing and she attended Old Time Dancing at Stackpole and the Pater Hall. Dennis was no Fred Astaire but he nonetheless joined in with a will and between whist and dancing they were out together much of the week. Then a new craze hit Pembrokeshire - Line Dancing - and Pam took to this like a duck to water, continuing until she was in her 80s.

Pam and Dennis had ten grandchildren Amy, Neil, Lewis, Sarah, Ceri, Gemma, Hayley, Mark. Sheryl and Leanne and seven great grandchildren – James, Ollie, Amelia, Jackson, Meya, Iwan and Zane (in New Zealand) whom they loved dearly.

In 1999 when Dennis passed away Pam found it hard to adjust but she was still independently minded.

For her 80th birthday, after a party for all her family and friends, Linda and Helen took her on a trip to Vienna with visits to the Schonbrunn Palace and the Spanish Riding School to see the Lipizzaner horses – a holiday she cherished.

Pam died at the age of 89 after spending several years suffering from Vascular Dementia.

Pam was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, quick to laugh, firm but fair and not afraid to tell people what she thought. She will always be remembered as the heart of the family, and enjoyed reigning over the weekly coffee mornings in a packed kitchen full of children and grandchildren.

Donations for Dementia UK c/o E C Thomas & Son, Zoar Chapel Funeral Home, Llanteg, who also carried out the funeral arrangements.

Mrs J L Price

Pembroke Dock

THE death occurred on February 15 of June Lilian Price of Clarence Street, Pembroke Dock. Aged 87 years, she passed away at home following a short illness.

A native of Pembroke Dock, June was born there in 1930 to Florence and Ernest Gaythorpe but shortly after her birth, the family moved to Hong Kong with the posting there of her father. After four years in Hong Kong, he was posted to India where June spent the remainder of her childhood.

The family returned to the UK during the second world war with June permanently settling back in Pembroke Dock aged seventeen and starting work as a clerk at the Silcox Motor Coach Company, she also held jobs at Johnson the bookmakers and the Commercial Row café. She was to marry Peter Thomas and they were to have two children, Alan and Vanessa before separating. June was later to meet John Price. They married and had a son, Gareth with the family settling in Clarence Street, Pembroke Dock where June and John lived happily for over fifty years.

June continued working at Johnson’s and for many years at Mark’s Curtain Shop in Queen Street, Pembroke Dock. Away from work, the family enjoyed many wonderful holidays away together. She and John travelled extensively throughout Europe, Asia, Africa and America.

Following her retirement, June worked as volunteer advisor at the Citizen’s Advice Bureau and latterly along with John, delivered ‘meals on wheels’ together to people in the South Pembrokeshire community who were unable to cook for themselves, something which they carried on until June was well into her seventies.

June’s other interests included her garden, actively supporting several charities and she was a devoted dog lover but her main interest and priority was always her family. She loved nothing more than spending time with them all, particularly her eight grandchildren.

She was predeceased by John in 2014.

The funeral took place on March 2 at Parc Gwyn.The humanist service was beautifully officiated by Mike Ashbridge.

The principle mourners were Alan and Joyce (son and daughter-in- law), Vanessa and Cliff (daughter and son-in-law), Gareth and Sara (son and daughter-in-law), Gary, Leigh and Michelle, Neil and Abi, Elle and Jamie, Hannah, Jack, Harvey and Max (grandchildren), Glenys (cousin) and Lily and Jean (sisters-in-law).

The tribute was given by Mike Ashbridge, and poems lovingly read by Elle and Hannah (granddaughters).

The bearers were Gary, Leigh, Neil and Jack, supported by Harvey and Max (grandsons).

Donations for WaterAid c/o E C Thomas and Son, 21 Main Street, Pembroke, SA71 4JS who also carried out the funeral arrangements.

Mr B Griffiths

Pembroke Dock

MR Brian Griffiths of Front Street, Pembroke Dock and formerly of Neyland and Pembroke passed away at home on January 21. He was 79.

Brian leaves his wife Sue; sons Paul and daughter-in-law Julie; Nick and daughter-in-law Angela. He was Grampy to Jacob and Lucas; brother to Gwyneth and brother-in-law David Perkins.

The funeral took place on February 6 at Parc Gwyn.

Brian was born in Pembroke Dock in 1939. During the 1950's he attended to Pembroke Grammar School where he became school captain in 1954. He excelled in athletics where he held the record for the long jump for 40 odd years. In 1952 he participated in carrying the baton for the Commonwealth Games as part of the team relaying out of Haverfordwest.

However, Rugby was his first love and he played right wing for Neyland and well known for his speed.

Brian went to Trinity College and turned from teaching to Administration and Accounting. After college, he worked for Christiani and Neilsen commuting to Rochester, Kent at the time the company were building the M2 bridges over the Medway.

In 1969 he moved to Sierra Leone for three years working for various West African Countries. In the mid 1970's he worked in Hamburg, Germany before going to Tehran in 1976. His final position abroad was in 1981 when he went to Liberia.

Following the death of his parents, Brian moved back to Neyland to take over the family shoe retailers at 44 High Street, Neyland. A second shop was opened later in Main Street, Pembroke but closed in the early 1990's.

Brian lived in Pembroke before finally settling in Pembroke Dock.

After a long engagement of some 25 years, Brian and Sue were married on January 5 2018 by special licence, at his home.