Mr T A Mackeen

Haverfordwest

ARTHUR died peacefully at home in Jury Lane, on November 4 following a short illness.

He was born in Johnston in 1934, to Leonard and Jane Mackeen, and the family later moved to Cambrian Road in Neyland. Arthur had one brother Marsden who sadly predeceased him in 2013.

After leaving school Arthur worked in Green’s Cycle Shop in Haverfordwest, and after his National Service he worked as a signalman on the railway.

Arthur married Doreen Pugh of Solva, in 1956 and they had one son Jonathan.

They had been married for 26 years when Doreen sadly died in 1982.

In 1960 he was employed as a Process Operator at Esso Milford Haven, and worked there for 24 years until they closed. He ended his working life as caretaker at Pembrokeshire College.

Arthur worked tirelessly for charity all his life. He became a member of the RAOB, Baring Gould Lodge in 1970, and was elected Provincial Grand Primo in 1978.

He also became a member of the Cleddau Masonic Lodge for a few years, and the Belle Vue 5.30 club.

After his marriage to Chris, he joined her on the Haverfordwest Kidney Wales Committee and helped raise thousands of pounds for the charity and campaigned for the Withybush Renal Unit.

In recognition of his charity work, Arthur and Chris attended a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in July 1990.

Arthur loved watching sport especially cricket, and joined Haverfordwest Cricket Club, and became chairman of the social committee and was Club Chairman in 1995.

The very well attended funeral was held at St. David’s Church, Prendergast, with the Rev David Mortimore officiating.

Members of the RAOB provided a Guard of Honour at the church. The bearers were Paul Herbert, Craig Mackeen, Christopher Mackeen-Jones, John Wynn, Dave Loosmore and Arthur Thomas. Paul Herbert read a poem, and the tribute was given by John Wynn. A eulogy was given by Malcolm Hawkins, RAOB Funeral Martial.

There was also a short service at City Road Cemetery by members of different RAOB lodges.

Principal mourners are Chris Mackeen (wife); Jon and Kim Mackeen (son and daughter-in-law); Paul and Wendy Herbert (stepson and step daughter-in-law); Trina Herbert (stepdaughter); Craig and Sam (grandson and fiancé); Sian and Chris (granddaughter and husband); Maddie Herbert; (step granddaughter); Megan, Morgan, Evan, William, Hollie, Cayden and Addison Mackeen (great grandchildren); Joan Mackeen (sister-in-law); Audrey and Phil Wynn, (sister-in-law and brother-in-law); Katie and Andy Middleton (niece and husband); John Wynn and Christine Andersen (nephew and fiancé); Alwyn and Anne Evans (Chris’ uncle and aunt) together with numerous other family and very good friends.

Donations for The Paul Sartori Foundation, c/o The Treasurer, Paul Sartori House, Winch Lane, Haverfordwest, SA61 1RP and/or Diabetes UK Cymru , c/o Mr. Joe Cuff, Castlebridge2, 5-19 Cowbridge Road East, Cardiff CF11 9AB The dignified funeral arrangements were flawlessly carried out by Roy Folland and Son, of Haverfordwest.

Mr H Thomas

Robeston Wathen

MR Howell Thomas of Robeston Wathen, Narberth passed away on Ward 10, Withybush Hospital on October 26.

He was 65.

Originally from Dolerwydd Farm, Whitland he worked at Whitland dairies from school until he was 28, when he went to Amoco Oil Refinery where he stayed until it closed down three years ago.

Also a retained fireman for 21 years until his health forced him to finish.

His interests included all sport, his garden, coastal walks with his wife and family, cruise holidays and sixties breaks and his grandchildren.

The family left to mourn and principal mourners are Sue (wife); Amanda and Hayley (daughters); Danielle, Adam, Archie, Honey and Jimmy (grandchildren); Will (son-in-law); David (brother); Margaret (sister); Phillip (brother-in-law); Ivy and Jackie (sisters-in-law).

The service was held at Parc Gwyn on November 9 with a contingent of the fire brigade in attendance and it was officiated by Rev Martin Cox.

The bearers were Kev and Andy Mouzer (nephews); Philip James (brother-in-law); Will Vallance (son-in-law); Nick Lawrence and Robbie Vallance.

The funeral director was E C Thomas and Son, Zoar Chapel Funeral Home, Llanteg, Narberth SA67 8LT.

Mr W R Rimmer

Milford Haven

MR Walter Robert Rimmer of Dartmouth Gardens, Milford Haven passed away at Withybush Hospital on November 8.

He was 80.

As a native of Milford Haven he served his apprenticeship with Greens Motors in Haverfordwest as a mechanic before entering the REME and later he worked at RAF Brawdy then Esso Refinery until its closure, then Texaco, as a day craft technician.

Walter retired from Texaco refinery in March 2002 with a collection from ‘the boys’ enough for him to buy a new garden shed to house his many tools.

He served his two years national service with the REME in Honiton and Germany.

Wal enjoyed gardening and woodwork spending a lot of time in his shed. He loved animals and was often left to look after various family members pets. A keen reader he was a fan especially of Bernard Cornwell, and over the years perfected the art of pickling onions enjoyed by all.

In younger years an active member of the scouts and later of the now Unite Union.

The family left to mourn and principal mourners are Mrs Veda Rimmer (wife); Cicely and Kenny Davies (sister and brother-in-law); Judith and Alan James (daughter and son-in-law); Anthony and Keren Rimmer (son and daughter-in-law); Lynn and Terry Davies (daughter and son-in-law); Elaine Rimmer (daughter); Keeley, Anna, Blaire, Megan, Lea and Louise (grandchildren); great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

The service was held at St Katharines and St Peters Church followed by interment in Thornton Cemetery. It was officiated by Father Harri Williams and the bearers were Alan James, Mike Davies, Tom Rees and Anthony Patterson.

Donations in lieu of flowers for Prostrate Cancer Cymru c/o Tom Newing and Sons Ltd, Dartmouth Street, Milford Haven, who also carried out the funeral arrangements.

Mr D J Povey

Clarbeston Road

DAVID passed away at his home on November 23.

He was born in St Davids Hospital, Cowbridge Road, Cardiff.

The first born to Frank and Dorothy. He grew up in a terraced house with three other siblings in a busy suburban area of Cardiff.

His great love of countryside and all his interest in wildlife grew out of living a lot of the time with his maternal aunt Carey and uncle Cliff in Magor, at the time a very rural area on the outskirts of Cardiff.

He immersed himself in the county side, and took a keen interest in gardening and looking after the small amount of livestock about the small holding.

He attended primary/secondary modern school. He passed his 11 plus but refused to go into higher education. In fact, an intelligent man, he never stopped educating himself and had many diverse interests. His first job was for Cardiff Corporation taking care of bowling greens. He could always cut a perfect lawn.

He worked at Ely Paper Mill on a gigantic paper making machine which left him with hearing impairment. He took his HGV license and worked for Brittons dairies collecting milk from outlying farms around Cardiff. The milk at this time was in churns it was heavy, hard work but David thought nothing of it.

He was a wonderful dancer and met Margaret at the Kennedy Ballrooms. There was also Mavis June’s ballroom dance class where they learned to twirl and twist around the floor better than any Strictly contestants.

David also loved sport. Welsh rugby, horse racing, cricket and of course his work in the shooting field with his dogs.

David and the family moved to Pembrokeshire some 45 years ago, because life in Cardiff became to hectic. Having worked in an industrial environment David wanted a quieter life. He took a job as a postman but his main interest by now was antique furniture and ceramics. He became an avid collector of Welsh pottery, particularly Swansea, Llanelli and Ewenny. His knowledge was quite profound. He built up a comprehensive library on Welsh ceramics right up to the end of his life. One book he ordered he never got to read. His interest in life did not diminish until the very last few days of his life. He eventually gave up the post office and started to renovate furniture. Buying at auction and from peoples homes and selling on to the trade or to anyone who was interested in purchasing the same. He started to collect welsh country furniture and small household items. Again he put together a comprehensive library which he often referred to sitting under a lamp in the sitting room at Rhyd-y-Brown listening to his choice of music, which could have been anything from the 60/70, modern jazz, classical, always played very loud.

It was also at these times that he would study his books about training working dogs (another library). His love of his dogs transcended all his other interest. He read all these books so much that most of them are falling apart. He was always willing to learn from others and he would pass on any training hints, or information that he felt was important for others to have in order to get the best out of their dogs. At the time of his death David had four dogs and five bitches. One dog and one bitch he though were his ‘best yet’ they have gone to Shropshire to good working homes. The family are grateful to Warren for his efforts on Davids behalf.

The last days of his life were spent at home with his family. Also under the care of Paul Sartori District Nurses, Dr Macintosh and Care at Home. With all their help David’s end of life path was as pain free as possible.

The family left to mourn are Margaret Povey (wife); Shaun Povey (son); Meinir Povey (daughter-in-law); Louise Povey (daughter); Carl Povey (son).

The service was held St Mary’s Church, Bletherston followed by cremation at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth and was officiated by Rev Derek Davies on December 6.

Donations to Paul Sartori c/o Harold Warlow, Fynnongain, New Moat, Clarbeston Road, SA63 4SD The funeral arrangements were carried out by Keith Lewis of Oliver Evans, Carmarthen.

Mr J S Williams

Neyland

MR John Stewart Williams of Gaddarn Reach, Brunel Quay, Neyland passed away at Fairfield Nursing Home, Johnston.

He was age 79.

He was originally from Birmingham and was an asphalter after leaving school.

His last job before retiring was working for the Prudential Insurance Company in 1990.

His main interests were music and darts.

The family left to mourn are Andrea Williams (wife); Roy (son); Tina (daughter); Lissy and Rachel (sisters); Ben, Michael, Tyler, and Kian (grandsons); Alisha and Skye (granddaughters); Jordon (great grandson).

The funeral was held at Parc Gwyn and it was officiated by Huw George.

The bearers were Roy, Michael and Ben (son and grandchildren); Ned, Keith and Joe (remaining members of Chads 1960s Blues Band).

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