Obituaries, July 9th

2:20pm Thursday 10th July 2008

Mr S. McGrath

Milford Haven

Simon McGrath of Hakin, Milford Haven, died recently, aged 45. Simon, had been working in Massachusetts when he suffered a stroke. He developed further complications and died seven weeks later.

He leaves to mourn: Cathy (wife); Ellie (daughter); Quinn (son); Helena (mother); Stephen and Andrew (brothers) and their families. Simon was predeceased by his father, Captain John P. McGrath, a Milford Haven pilot.

Simon attended Milford Haven Grammar School and Modern Tutorial College in London for A-levels. He attended Loughborough University in the early 1980s and during his year in industry' went to California. It was the start of a close association with America, which was to continue for the next 25 years.

It was while he was in California he met his wife Cathy, who was also working in the electronics industry. The pair married in Massachusetts in 1984.

He graduated from Loughborough University with a degree in computer engineering and electronic systems and then went on to complete a Masters' degree in industrial robotics at Cranfield University. He then moved to Palo Alto, California, to work in the electronics and computing industry in Silicon Valley.

He was associated with a number of companies in Silicon Valley, but spent the longest period with the electronics division of The Yamaha Corporation. However, the family returned to Wales in 1993 when Simon studied for an MBA at Cardiff University.

Lately, Simon specialised in embedded microprocessor design, such as for blood oxygen monitors. He was also an expert in the operating system Linux. He was employed by Stratus Technologies and based at Red Hat Inc in Massachusetts when he was taken ill.

Simon was a life-long sailor, competing at school boy level in dinghies and more recently in his cruiser which he kept in Milford Marina. He was a member of Hubberston Church, and had been an active member of the Labour Party in Milford Haven. He worked for a time lecturing maths and electronics at Pembrokeshire College, in Haverfordwest.

He had an infectious laugh and was always ready to laugh at the ridiculous, self-important, or just plain daft.

A memorial service was held at St Mary's Church in Hubberston on Saturday, July 5th.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to The Stroke Association, 240 City Road, London, EC1V 2PR or online at www.stroke.org.

uk/donate/make_a_ donation.html.

Mrs A. E. JONES

Boncath

Ada Eurona (Eiry) Jones of Blaenpistyll, Bwlchygroes, Boncath, died after a long illness on April 15th, at Glangwili hospital, Carmarthen. She was 78.

Eiry had lived at Blaenpistyll all of her life and was a faithful member of the Bwlchygroes C. M. Chapel, where the funeral service and burial were held on April 22nd.

The service was officiated by Rev Dr Gareth Edwards assisted at her home by Rev. J. Towyn Jones (nephew) and in the chapel by Rev Llinos Edwards, Norman Rees and Rowland Hicks.

The bearers were Melvin Bunby, David Evans, David Harris, Brinley Rees, Colin Evans and Brian Williams. The leaflets were distributed by Vernon Thomas, Dave Thomas and John Philips and the organist was Glenys George.

Eiry was predeceased her husband Kenneth Jones and her elder sister Selina.

The chief mourners were: Elwyn and Susan (son and daughter-in-law) Ieuan and Anwen (grandchildren); Ben Davies (brother); Annie Mary Jones, Liz Rees, Megan Williams (sisters); Tim and Hetty Jones (brother-in-law and sister-in-law) Towyn, Glan and Mauren, Milton, Hazel and Meirion, Geralyn and Gwynfor, Esly and Aled (nephews and nieces); Catrin and Orinda, Alwen and Steven, Rhydian and Luned (great-nephews and nieces) Dilys Davies, Margaret and Mervin Newell, together with other relatives, friends and neighbours. Unable to attend were Eirlys and Dewi, Rhunedd, Llinos and Chris.

There were family flowers only, and the funeral arrangements were carried out by Colin Phillips, of Cardigan.

Mr F. Aston

Narberth

The death occurred on May 23rd of Fred Aston of Molleston, Narberth, at Withybush Hospital after a short stay. He was 91.

He was a native of Tavernspite and served his apprenticeship with Wilsons in Whitland. He joined the forces early in 1939 and served his war years in the 8th Army REME, Northampton Division. He joined Bob Davies in forming Aston and Davies in Whitland and during the late 1950s he decided to return to farming at Mountain Farm until retiring, through ill health, in 1982.

His main interests were gardening and fishing in the spare time he had from farming.

The service was held at St Peter's Church, Lampeter Velfrey followed by cremation at Parc Gwyn.

The principal mourners were: Theresa (wife); Syd and Olga (son and daughter-in-law); Mark and Val (grandson and partner); Kevin and Bernadett (grandson and partner); Philip and Rachel (grandson and partner); Andrew (grandson); Nicola and Oliver (granddaughter and partner); Elle, Nina and Lily (great grandchildren) and Raluca (granddaughter).

The service was officiated by Chancellor Canon Morris and Father Paul Davies. The bearers were Syd, Mark, Kevin, Philip, Andrew and Oliver.

There were family flowers only with donations in lieu for Pembrokeshire Blind Society to E. C. Thomas and Son, Archways, Green Plains, Stepaside, SA67 8LT, who also carried out the funeral arrangements.

Mr R. E. Williams

Little Newcastle

Richard Eric Williams, of Coronation Farm, Little Newcastle, Haverfordwest, died at University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, after a short stay on May 30th. He was 78.

He was a native of Dinas, and worked as an apprentice carpenter/joiner at Brodeg, Fishguard. In 1955, he established his own carpentry business at Coronation in Little Newcastle, where he worked until being admitted to hospital.

He served three years of national service from 1947 with the South Wales Borderers, spending time in Egypt, Palestine and Jerusalem.

He was a home-loving man whose great passion was boating along the Fishguard coastline, especially around Dinas Head. He also had a great interest in World War history. His other interest was his family, particularly his two young grandsons.

The family left to mourn and principal mourners are: Rita (wife); Anne and Richard (daughter and son-in-law); Steven and Rhys (grandsons); Gracie (aunt), and many friends, relatives and neighbours.

The funeral service was held in St Peter's Church, Little Newcastle, and was officiated by Rev Roger Griffiths, Rev Paul Davies, Rev David Rees and Rev Gwyn Rogers.

The bearers were Dylan Lewis, Dick Pepper, John Harries, John Percey, Neville Evans and Clarence Bowen and the organist was Anita Smith (family friend).

There were family flowers only with donations in lieu for the royal unit, Morriston Hospital and the cardiac care unit, UCW, Cardiff, to be sent to William Lewis, Ford House, Wolfscastle, who also carried out the funeral arrangements.

Mrs E. L. Davies

Efailwen

Elizabeth Louvain Davies died on June 13th at Glangwili hospital aged 93.

Louvain was born at Maesyffynon, Login, and later moved to Maesyrodin, after her marriage to Edgar.

They farmed at Maesyrodin and later moved to Plasybedw, Efailwen. They retired to Caerbedw, and she later lived at Efailwen and Maesllwelyn Residential Home.

She was predeceased by her husband of 60 years nearly 11 years ago. They had six children - Keith, Gillian, Hilary, Meurig, Angela and Gloria. They also had 13 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren. She was also predeceased by her younger sister Ella Evans, and her granddaughter Heather Harries.

The funeral took place on June 19th at Nebo Chapel, Efailwen.

The principal mourners were: Keith and Mair Davies, Meurig and Pat Davies (sons and daughters-in-law); Glyn and Gillian Gibby, Herbie and Angela Evans (daughters and sons-in-law); Hilary Davies and Gloria Gibby (daughters). Most of the grandchildren and many of the great grandchildren attended with their respective partners. Unable to attend was Adrian and Julie Young, Sharon and Veronica Gibby.

The bearers were Jeffrey Gibby, Robert Gibby, Andrew Evans, Anthony Gibby, Simon Davies and Dewi Davies (grandsons). The flowers for the chapel were arranged by Wendy Edwards (granddaughter).

Louvain also took under her wing Gerwyn and Brian. They were at the funeral with their respective wives Eleanor and Lona, who frequently visited her.

There was a very large congregation of family, friends and neighbours at her funeral. Rev T. Howell Mud, Rev Jill Hailey Harries and Rev Huw George officiated. The organist was John S. Davies.

Louvain spent her last 18 months at Maesllewellyn residential home, Newcastle Emlyn.

There were family flowers only, with donations if desired for Maesllewellyn residential home to Eilyr Thomas, Fedwen Aur, Llandissilio, Clynderwen.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Dennis Jones, of Efailwen.

Miss M. A. Mathias

Dinas Cross

The funeral took place on Thursday, June 19th, of Margaret Ann Mathias of Bennett Terrace, Dinas Cross, who died at Withybush Hospital on June 10th.

Margaret was born in 1922 at Ty Newydd, and also lived at Cilshafe, and Gilfach Goch near Fishguard, Arfryn and the remainder of her time at Bennett Terrace, Dinas.

Margaret carried out teacher training at Dinas school and attended Swansea College. During her teaching career she taught at Dagenham and Bristol before returning to Wales to teach in Woodstock and Goodwick Schools from where she retired after almost 30 years.

A large gathering attended the funeral service at Tabor Chapel, Dinas, which was followed by a service at Parc Gwyn Crematorium.

Her minister, Rev Alwyn Daniels, conducted both services assisted at the chapel by Rev John Roberts and Rev Carl Williams. The organist was Mair Davies and the bearers were Irfon James, Selwyn Harries, Roy Harries and Howard Jenkins.

The mourners were: Tommy and John (brothers); Janet and Ken (niece and partner); Tina and Huw, Hayley and David (great-nieces and partner/husband); John and Judith (great-nephew and wife); Caryl, Nia, Geraint, Rebecca, Charlotte, Gareth and William (great-great-nieces and nephews), together with other members of the family and many friends too numerous to mention.

There were family flowers only with donations in lieu for ward four, Withybush Hospital and Tabor Chapel, to Paul Jenkins, who also carried out the funeral arrangements.

Mr D. O. O'Connell

Narberth

David Owen O'Connell, of The Ivy Bush, 5 High Street, Narberth, died at his home on May 29th, aged 29.

After leaving school David started working in several care homes for the elderly in Narberth. Aged 19, he stayed on Caldy Island looking after one of the monks. He also worked in Narberth fish and chip shop, and was bar manager at the Plas Hyfred, Narberth.

For the last two years he was publican at the Ivy Bush, Narberth, but due to ill health spanning the last 13 years he gave up running the pub. He still kept an active role there until his death.

His interests included his family, socialising, music and the rugby.

The principal mourners were: Shirley and Owen (mum and dad); Helen and Colin (sister and brother-in-law); Lucy (niece), plus aunties, uncles, cousins too numerous to mention.

The service was held at Parc Gwyn Crematorium and St Andrew's Church, Narberth. It was officiated by father Owen McGreal and the bearers were Rob Cottle, Adam Kelly, David Lidbury, Robert McCabe, Alex Pearce, Lyndon Williams.

There were family flowers only with donations for Narberth First Response and Narberth Health Centre to Adam Kelly, The Ivy Bush, Narberth.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by David E. Morris and Son, Carmarthen.

Mrs G. S. Jones MBE

Pembroke Dock

Billy Hughes (brother) should have been included in Mrs G. S. Jones MBE's obituary report (July 2nd).

Mr P. G. Walters

Goodwick

The funeral of Philip George Walters, of 9 Heol Penlan, Stop and Call, took place on Monday, June 23rd, at St. Peter's Church, Goodwick, followed by interment at Llanwnda Cemetery.

The principal mourners were: Lynfa (wife); Jamie and Julie (son and daughter-in-law); Julie (daughter); Eleanor (mother); Joan and Tony (sister and brother-in-law); Rich and Chris (brothers); Cecil and Emma (brother and partner); Brian, Dewi, Ann, Mags and Peter (brothers and sisters-in-law); Tony and Jane, Chris and Anne, Ian and Mel, Steven and Paul Edwards, Jason and Paula, Wayne and Sian, Jen and Mike, Darren, Andrew, Susan, Ian, Gary, Tim and Debbie Smith (nephews and nieces); Abigail, Melanie, Steven, April, Jason and Justin (great-nephews and nieces); and Yvette Evans (close friend) along with others, too numerous to mention. Unable to attend were Len and Beryl (brother and sister-in-law), and Arron, Luke, Lewis and Drue (grandsons).

The bearers were: Mark Cole, Gerald John, Robert Evans, Keith Evans, Lee Russan and Paul Carty. There were family flowers only with donations for ward ten, Withybush Hospital to Barclays Bank, Market Square, Fishguard.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Paul Jenkins and Sons, Fishguard, and Rev Roger Griffiths officiated.

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