Obituaries, October 21st

Croesgoch

The death of Richard Dan James occurred at his home on August 7th. He was 88.

A retired postmaster and shopkeeper, Richie was a keen cricketer for Llanhrhian for many years.

He joined the army when he was 18 and served throughout World War Two in Burma. He was demobbed at the age of 24 and returned to work at Croesgoch shop and post office.

He took over the shop and post office until his retirement in July 1985.

He was a devout member of Croesgoch Chapel, The British Legion and The Burma Star Association.

He loved travelling the world and had a large circle of friends. He was a lover of music and a big supporter of ‘cymanfa ganu’ services.

The funeral took place at Croesgoch Chapel on August 14th, with interment in the chapel cemetery.

Rev Emlyn Jones, Rev Elwyn Williams, Rev Gwyn Rogers, Rev John Bennet and John Roberts officiated. Apologies were received from Rev Aled Jenkins and Rev Carl Williams.

The organist was Ann Thomas.

The principal mourners were his nephews and nieces. Unable to attend was Mair Jenkins (niece).

The bearers were Alun Thomas, Ronald Thomas, Byron Reynolds and Kevin Rees.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by David Price, of Croesgoch.

Mr J. F. Godkin

St Davids

James Fintan Godkin, of St Davids, died on September 19th, at ward ten, Withybush Hospital, following a two-year battle with cancer.

Fintan was 66 and originally from Wexford, Ireland. He spent his working life at sea, joining his first ship at the age of 14. He spent the next 12 years travelling the world.

He started to work for Sealink on the Rosslare to Fishguard crossing in the early 1970s and moved to St Davids in 1981.

He retired from Sealink in 1994 and became treasurer and committee member of St Davids RFC, a post he held for 15 years.

He also served as a councillor on St Davids City Council.

The funeral took place on September 25th, at St Michael’s Church, St Davids and Parc Gwyn Crematorium. Canon C. H. Johnson officiated.

Family left to mourn are: Elish (wife), Lisa and Fiona (daughters) and Fintan and Ann (son and daughter-in-law); Tom and Muriel (brother and sister); Daniel, Tara, Laura, Keira, Brogan, Harvey and Alfie (grandchildren).

The bearers were Eddie Bolger, Frankie John, Des Jenkins and Ken Broaders.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Bernard Mathias, funeral directors.

Mr. J. F. Boardman

Goodwick

The death occurred on October 5th at Withybush Hospital of Joseph Frederick Boardman, of Hillside Close, Goodwick, and formerly of Caerau Farm.

Born at Dungarvan in County Wexford in 1918, the family moved to Pembrokeshire in 1922, living in Trecwn before moving to Fishguard.

A career in agriculture was interrupted by seven years in the armed forces. He served with the RASC in the Second World War, proceeding to France with the BEF in 1939 and subsequently being evacuated from Dunkirk in 1940. He later served with the 8th Army in north Africa and Italy and finally took part in the liberation of Norway.

After the war, he resumed farming at Pencaer, together with his wife Naomi, who he married in 1950. He soon earned a reputation as a progressive poultry and sheep breeder, as well as a potato farmer.

In 1967, he was appointed a justice of the peace and progressed to chairman of the Fishguard bench. He also served at the crown court in Haverfordwest, retiring in 1988.

He was a faithful churchman and member of St Nicholas’ Church for many years, where he held the post of vicar’s warden for nine years. More recently, he was a member of St Mary’s Church, Manorowen.

He was a member of a number of local organisations, including the Fishguard and Goodwick Branch of the Royal British Legion, the St Peter’s Church Men’s Society, Goodwick Gardening Club, and Fishguard and District Historical Society.

The funeral took place at the Church of the Holy Martyrs, Mathry, October 10th, officiated by Rev Paul Davies.

The eulogy was given by Richard Davies, in addition to tributes from his daughters Mary and Rosaleen. Grandson Martyn also participated.

The organist was John Hall and the bearers were Oliver Johns, Noel Rees, Ken Macleod and Tomi Owen.

Interment followed at St Mary’s Churchyard, Manorowen, where Gwilym Price, county secretary for the Royal British Legion, recited the exhortation. The Fishguard and Goodwick Royal British Legion banner, carried by Nigel Codd, was dipped as a mark of respect.

The principal mourners were: Naomi Boardman (wife); Mary and Rosaleen (daughters); Adrian (son-in-law), Martyn and Mandy (grandchildren), Dr Bill Youell, (friend) and other family members too numerous to mention.

Unable to attend were Bill and Angharad (grandchildren ).

There were family flowers only, but donations for ward 11, Withybush Hospital and the Royal British Legion may be made at Barclays Bank, Fishguard.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Paul Jenkins and Sons.

Mr D. J. Williams

Llandissilio

The death occurred on September 14th of David John Williams (Dai), of Chapel House, Blaenconin, Llandissilio. He was 70.

Dai was born and brought up in Llangolman and after leaving school worked on local farms before working for Lawrence Drim Farm.

He later worked as a lorry driver for Carmarthen Farmers in Whitland.

In 1966, he began work at the milk factory in Whitland, first delivering bottled milk and then churn collection and late farm collection. He remained there until he retired in 2002.

After retiring, he was a part-time coach driver with Midway Motors, Crymych.

He and his family were involved in organising grass track racing for Clynderwen and District Motorcycle Club for more than 25 years. He also enjoyed fishing at Llysyfran.

He was married to Dorothy for 44 years and they were caretakers of Blaenconin Chapel for 40 years.

He was devoted to his family, and wherever he went, his dog Cinders was always by his side.

The funeral took place at Blaenconin Chapel on September 19th, followed by interment at Rhydwilym. Rev Huw George officiated and also present were Rev Eirian Wyn Lewis and Rev John Roberts.

The bearers were Brian Thomas, Tudor Lewis, Paul Harries, Vernon Beynon, Berian Owen and Phil Hammersley.

Leaflets were distributed by Ron Davies, Douglas Thomas and Gethin Reynolds and the organist was Heather Williams.

Family left to mourn are: Dorothy (wife); Dawn and Richard, Delyth and Mark (daughters and sons-in-law); Jason, Christopher, Kelly, Steffan, Daniel, Jodie, Sophie and Matthew (grandchildren); John and Lorna, Pam and Wil, Huw and Pam, Granville and Lorna, Hubert (cousins); Mair and Ronnie, Megan, Lon and Win (sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law); Buddug and Jonathan, Sian and Mark, Andrew and Terina, Lynette and Ieuan, Dorian, Dafydd and Joanna (nephews and nieces); Emma, Laura, David and Hannah, Kim and Shirley (cousins); Nin, Hazel, Dilys, Heulwen, Eryl and Rachel (friends) and other distant relatives.

Unable to attend were June, Flo, Rose and Carol (cousins).

There were family flowers only, with donations for Resource base for children with sensory impairment and LATCH, to Ken Davies, Blaenwern, Clynderwen, who also carried out the funeral arrangements.

Mr W. D. Price

Solva

Family and friends met at Felingannol Chapel on September 9th for the funeral of William Donald Price, of Ty Mawr, Solva.

After leaving school, Donald farmed with his parents at Caerfega.

He was a keen ploughman, winning several trophies at local ploughing matches.

He was also very interested in poetry and won prizes at the Eisteddfod for his ‘englynion’.

He continued farming at Lochvane with his late wife Elvira until they retired, but his love of the land and livestock kept him active for a number of years with a few acres at the Gribbin.

Until three years ago, Donald was an active member of the Baptist Chapel at Middle Mill, Solva, where he served as treasurer for 30 years and deacon for 50 years.

Ill health over the last nine months meant Donald could no longer live on his own. He spent seven months with his brother and sister-in-law Leslie and Marguerite Price.

The service was led by the Rev G. Aled Jenkins, with the English lesson read by Rev John Bennett. Prayers were led by Rev Emlyn Jones. John Evans assisted.

The bearers were Christopher Price (nephew), John Rees and Leonard and David John.

There were family flowers only, with donations in lieu for ward 11 Withybush Hospital and the doctors’ surgery at Solva to Alun Evans, Trecadwgan, Solva.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Bernard Mathias.

Mr D. L. Griffiths

Neyland

The death occurred on September 20th at Withybush Hospital of Dennis Griffiths, of High Street, Neyland. He was 75.

Dennis was born in Mastlebridge and lived in Neyland his entire life.

Dennis and his wife Joan, who died in 2003, ran a bakery and grocery shop in Neyland for more than 30 years.

The funeral took place at St Clement’s church, Neyland, followed by interment at Neyland cemetery.

Rev Paul Flavell officiated and a tribute in church was given by Derek Charles (friend). A poem was read by Georgie Griffiths.

Dennis enjoyed rugby and sailing and could often be found in the yacht club with family and friends.

He leaves to mourn: Gillian and Sean (daughter and son-in-law); Michael and Bronwen (son and daughter-in-law); Jennifer and Mick (daughter and son-in-law); Paul, Stephen, Lauren, George and Elinor (grandchildren); Dorothy, (sister); together with relatives and friends too numerous to mention.

The bearers were Phillip Edwards, Larry Evans, David Lloyd, Malcolm Harries, Paul and Stephen Murray.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Glyn Thomas and Son, Freystrop, Haverfordwest.

Mrs M. P. Daye

Milford Haven

Marie Daye died at Withybush Hospital on September 25th. She was 73.

Born in Milford Haven, she moved to Haverfordwest after her marriage to David Daye, who predeceased her in 1986. She later returned to Milford to look after her mother, Doris.

During her life she worked as a barmaid at the Manchester Club. She and David also ran Milford Haven Football Club together.

Marie’s main interest was bowling. She was fixture secretary for the Ladybirds and Milford Ladies and took her turn at being captain. She won many competitions including the Pembroke Dock open triples and won county honours as a triples player. She also played in a Welsh competition and got to semi-final stage.

Family left to mourn are: Alison and Barry (daughter and son-in-law); Kirsty and Rhys (grandchildren) together with other family and friends.

The funeral was held at Hamilton Court Funeral Home, led by Rev Martyn Evans, followed by interment at City Road Cemetery, Haverfordwest, with her late husband.

The bearers were Alan Wills, Ronnie Grant, Derek Sharp and Barry Webb.

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

Mr W. E. James

Kilgetty

William Edward James, of St Mary’s Place, Kilgetty, died on September 13th at Withybush Hospital, aged 95.

He had various jobs during his working life including Mountain Farm, Whitland Creamery and Pembrokeshire County Council, from where he retired.

He loved farming, working at Little Kilvegy, Catershook, until he was in his early 80s. He also enjoyed gardening and watching sport, especially football and rugby.

He was predeceased by his wife Freda in 1984 and his son Michael in 1994.

Family left to mourn are: Irene (sister); Reg (brother), plus many nephews and nieces, great nephews and nieces.

The funeral was held at Sardis Congregational Chapel, Kilgetty, and was officiated by Rev Hywel Brown.

The bearers were Graham Jenkins, Clive Nicholls, Kenny Badham and Stephen Watkins.

There were family flowers only with donations if so desired for Sardis Congregational Chapel to E. C. Thomas and Son, Stepaside, who also carried out the funeral arrangements.