Obituaries, July 27th 2011 (From Western Telegraph)

Obituaries, July 27th 2011

2:05pm Friday 5th August 2011 in Obituaries

Mr A. F. Barker.Milford Haven.

A large congregation packed St Mary’s Church, Haverfordwest and Parc Gwyn Crematorium for the funeral of Alan Frederick Barker, of Waterloo Road, Hakin, Milford Haven on July 14th.

Alan, who was 68, was born in Hakin, the son of Joe and Eileen Barker. He died at Withybush Hospital on July 10th after a year-long illness borne with great courage.

His wife was Pat Swales Barker, former principal of Swales Music Store, Haverfordwest, and he was a man of great integrity, loyalty and generosity.

Educated at Hakin Primary School and Milford Haven Central Secondary School, he served an apprenticeship in electrical engineering with British Thompson Houston at Rugby, where he was proud to have worked on the new engines for Concorde and for the liner Canberra.

Following employment in the Midlands, he returned to Pembrokeshire in the mid-1970s, working for Dyfed County Council and Pembrokeshire County Council as an electrical inspector in the architect’s department.

When he retired ten years ago he was able to devote more time to his many interests which included photography, gardening, DIY, sea angling and dedicated work for St Mary’s Church, Haverfordwest, where he and his wife Pat were faithful members. He used his photographic skills in creating a comprehensive inventory of the church’s monuments, carvings and tablets, a gargantuan task which he carried out meticulously.

He also used his engineering expertise in many projects and was project co-ordinator of the church’s major restoration scheme in 2005.

He supported his wife in her many musical activities and played drums in a few of the productions of Haverfordwest Operatic Society in which they were both involved. He was a governor of Hakin Infant and Junior Schools.

He leaves to mourn his wife Pat; sister-in-law Dorothy Barker (his brother Norman died in 2006); nephews and nieces Richard Barker, Suzanne and Alan Williams and their son Toby Williams; sister-in-law Freda Swales Shewry and her family; cousins Philip and Michelle Price (Paris); Stephen Pryce, Roger Price and Ted Swales.

Officiating clergy at the funeral service were the vicar of St Mary’s, Father Paul Mackness, assisted by the Curate, Father Harri Williams, the former Vicar, Canon Derek Evans, and friend and neighbour Father John M. Davies, former Vicar of Milford Haven. The Bishop of St Davids sent an apology for his unavoidable absence. The organist was Margaret Jones and the bearers were church friends and colleagues John Jones, John Warren, Stuart Mills and Derek Rees.

There were family flowers only but donations in lieu may be made to St Mary’s Church Restoration Fund and sent to John Warren, Dreenhill Farm, Dale Road, Haverfordwest.

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

Mr F. E. Winsbury.Neyland.

Frank Edward Winsbury, of College Park, Neyland, died at Withybush Hospital on July 4th. He was 84.

Originally from London, he was a skilful carpenter, who throughout his life was able to turn his hand to many other trades, most of which were self taught.

He moved from London in 1963 to Letchworth, Hertfordshire where he lived with his wife Dorothy and daughters Susan and Deborah for 29 years. In 1992 Dorothy and Frank moved to France and renovated two cottages into a beautiful home. In 1996 Frank had his first stroke which forced him to move nearer to his daughter in Pembrokeshire. He lived with Dorothy in Neyland for 15 years.

In the 1940s he joined the Army as a truck driver. He was a keen sportsman breaking records for 100 yards and was delighted in later years to see his daughters and grandchildren develop the same sporting skills. Tennis was also a passion in his younger days as was writing and philosophy in his later years.

Frank studied the bible daily and was always ready to discuss any religion.

He was dearly loved and will be sadly missed by all his family and friends.

Family left to mourn and principal mourners are: Dorothy (wife); Susan and Chris, Deborah and Bruce (daughters and sons-in-law); Rachel and Jonathan (granddaughter and husband); William, Benjamin, Samuel and Luke (grandsons); Alex (great grandson).

The funeral service was held at Parc Gwyn Crematorium and was officiated by Rev Martyn Evans.

The bearers were William Harding, Benjamin Clark, Samuel Clark and Luke Hennessey.

There were family flowers only with donations in lieu being sent to the Stroke Association.

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

Mr G. R. John.Haverfordwest.

The death occurred on June 29th of G. Roland John, Lambston Hall, Portfield Gate, Haverfordwest. He was 76.

Roland was born in Lambston and was the youngest son of William and Doris John. He worked on the family farm until he took early retirement at 60.

His interests included rugby, clay pigeon shooting, gold and Bethel Baptist Chapel, Sutton, where he had been a lifelong member.

He was proud to represent Wales in clay pigeon shooting, along with his three brothers, Adrian, Glyn and Myrddin in the 1960s. Myrddin died in 2009, and Glyn only three weeks before Roland on June 7th.

Roland was a very keen golfer and some of his proudest moments at St Davids Club were achieving three holes-in-one, becoming club captain and reaching a single figure handicap despite losing a leg 38 years ago in a combine accident.

Family left to mourn are: Adrian and Beryl (brother and sister-in-law); Jennifer and Ewart Prayer (niece and husband); Marian (niece); Kathryn Edwards and Emma Matthews (great nieces); Marilyn (sister-in-law); Tim and Charlotte (nephew and wife); Steve (nephew) and cousins and friends too numerous to mention.

Unable to attend was Keith Allen (niece Marian’s partner).

A service of thanksgiving was held at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, officiated by Roland’s minister Rev Anne Rendall, assisted by Rev G. Aled Jenkins (family friend).

The bearers were Tim and Steve (nephews); Dave Heighway, Keeston, and Ken Davies, Solva – two of Roland’s many good friends.

There were family flowers only but donations may be sent to Margaret Marr, 173 Haven Road, Haverfordwest, to be shared between the Paul Sartori Foundation and Diabetes UK Wales.

Mrs A. V. Bermingham.Cardiff.

After many years of illness, the death occurred at Llandough Hospital on June 29th, of Anne Veronica Bermingham (nee Hicks), with her family at her bedside. She was 73.

She was the loving wife of Bryan and loving mother of Gerard and the late Adrian.

Requiem mass was celebrated at St Bridid’s RC Church, Cardiff, followed by interment in a family plot at Llanion Cemetery, Pembroke Dock.

Donations if desired to CAFOD or to HCPT (Handicapped Children’s Pilgrimage Trust) to Veronica Clow, 2 Queen Anne Square, Cardiff, CF10 3ED.

Mrs K. H. S. Thomas.Milford Haven.

The funeral took place on July 22nd of Kitty Hodges Skone Thomas, of Vicary Crescent, Milford Haven, who died at West Wales Hospital, Carmarthen, on July 14th. She was 83.

Kitty was a native of Milford Haven and had a number of jobs throughout her life, including fish filleting at Milford docks and care home cook assistant, retiring in 1985.

Her main interests were her grandchildren and family, bingo, travelling and gardening.

She was married to Malcolm Thomas.

Family left to mourn are Jeffrey and Margaret, Martin and Linda, Jennifer, Nigel and Susan, Jason and Michelle, Jonathon and Julie; sisters Tilly Mead and Glenys Rainer; grandchildren, great grandchildren, nephews and nieces.

Rev Alan Jenkins officiated at the service at Tabernacle Church and afterwards at Parc Gwyn.

The bearers were Jeffrey, Martin, Nigel, Jason and Jonathon.

Principal mourners are: Jeffrey, Margaret, Martin, Linda, Jennifer, Nigel, Susan, Jason, Michelle, Jonathon and Julie; grandchildren Anna, Barry, Nicholas, Andrew, Danielle, Michelle, Claire, Kieran, Phoebe, Joane, Ian; stepchildren Stephen, Sharon, Valerie, Nicholas, Laura and Jocelyn; sisters Tilly Mead and Glenys Rainer and 11 great-grandchildren, nephews and nieces.

Donations were made to the Heart Foundation in lieu of flowers.

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

Mr J. James.Rhydyfarchnad.

A large gathering of family and friends attended the funeral on June 23rd at Parc Gwyn Crematorium of Jack James, of Rhydyfarchnad. He was 97.

Jack moved to Rhydyfarchnad when he was 18 years old, taking over the farm which had been in the family for more than 200 years, from his grandfather. Jack and his late wife Nancy, who died in 2002, were married for 61 years and had three daughters Veronica, Yvonne and the late June.

Jack was chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council and was a councillor for Dyfed, Pembrokeshire county and the district for more than 45 years.

He was a member of the Blind Society committee, a governor for Fishguard secondary and Sir Thomas Picton schools, and was part of the opening of Parc Gwyn Crematorium. He was also a milkman for many years.

Jack travelled extensively throughout Great Britain, Australia and America, and met the Queen on several occasions at Buckingham Palace. He was a loyal member of the Labour party and was the last of eight children.

He has five grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, one great great grandchild and numerous nephews and nieces. He also lost two sons-in-law, Derek and Terry.

Jack opened Wintern Day Centre, Fishguard and was recently featured on Radio Pembrokeshire as the oldest councillor and alderman.

The funeral service was officiated by Canon Roger Griffiths, and the principal mourners were Veronica and Yvonne (daughters); Margaret and Eain (sister and brother-in-law); grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.

The bearers were Kevin and John Dalkin (grandsons); Jonathan Dalkin (great grandson); Gerry Turner (son-in-law); Glyn Llewelyn and Malcolm Williams (friends).

There were family flowers only, with donations in lieu for Fairfield Residential Home to Paul Jenkins and Sons, Feidr Castell, Fishguard, who also carried out the funeral arrangements.