Obituaries, February 10th 2010

Haverfordwest

The death occurred at Withybush Hospital of Arthur David Howells, of Fishguard Road, Haverford-west, on December 26th, after a long illness. He was 76.

Arthur was born in Ambleston and was the second son of the late Gwyn and Gwendoline Howells and husband of the late Elizabeth Joy Howells. Arthur left school and served his time as a mechanic with a local garage in Haverfordwest. Over the following years he was involved in many different ventures until starting his own haulage business A. D. Howells in 1962 with his wife Joy.

Family left to mourn and principal mourners are: Dawn and Phillip (daughter and partner); Vaughan (grandson); Eric and Celeste, Royce and Susan (brothers and sisters-in-law); Robin (nephew) and other family and friends too numerous to mention.

A large gathering of family and friends attended the funeral service, which was held at Parc Gwyn and was led by Canon Geoffrey Gwyther.

The bearers were Vaughan Howells (grandson); Royce Howells (brother); Phillip Owen (daughter’s partner); and Mark Barrett (long standing employee and friend).

There were immediate family flowers only, but donations for the British Lung Foundation Wales, can be sent, if desired, to Royce Howells, 4 Ramsey Drive, Milford Haven, Pembroke-shire, SA73 2RQ.

Funeral arrangements were carried out by Roy Folland and Son, Haverfordwest.

Mr D. Davis

Pembroke Dock

The death of David Davis, of Pembroke Street, Pembroke Dock, occurred suddenly at Withybush Hospital on January 11th. He was 63.

He was born and brought up in Willesdon, North London and moved to Pembroke Dock in 1969 with his family.

He worked as a self employed painter/decorator until he was forced to retire due to ill health.

The family left to mourn and principal mourners are: Gill (wife); Justin and Emma, Jason and Theresa (sons and daughters-in-law); Sean, Michael, Collette, Shelby and Shannon (grandchildren); Brian (brother); Maureen and Ken, Diana and Mervyn (sisters and brothers-in-law); Terry, Gordon and Gwyneth (brothers and sister-in-law) and nephews and nieces.

The funeral took place at St John’s Church, Pembroke Dock, followed by interment at Llanion Cemetery and was officiated by Rev Nigel Thomas.

The bearers were Sean and Michael Davis (grandsons), Michael Cross and Alex Jenkins (friends).

There were family flowers only with donations in lieu for the Paul Sartori Foundation and the Ichthyosis Support Group.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by E. C. Thomas and Son, Pembroke Dock.

The Western Telegraph apologises for the errors in this obituary last week.

Mr E. J. James

Wolfscastle

The funeral of Emrys James, of Haul-y-Bryn, Wolfscastle took place on January 2nd at Parc Gwyn, Narberth. He died following a short stay at Withybush Hospital on December 20th, 2009, aged 77.

Emrys was born and spent his childhood at Coed Bach, Mathry. He was the younger of two children born to Lillian and Nolan James. The family later moved to The Lodge at Treffgarne and resided there for over 40 years.

After the death of his parents, Emrys moved to Haul-y-Bryn, Wolfscastle, where he spent his remaining years.

He suffered a serious illness at the age of two which left him with many disabilities, and his story is one of overcoming great hardship with little complaint. Although never attending school he became a very good carpenter, repairing the house and making gates for friends and neighbours.

He also enjoyed fishing and helping on the farm at Treffgarne, but his real joy was from the many relatives and friends that used to visit and spend time with him.

Following his move to Wolfscastle, he was cared for by his sister (Betty) until she passed away in 1999.

His nephew Michael and wife Susan cared for him in his final years and spent many happy hours with him.

Chief mourners are: Jennifer and Eric (niece and husband); Michael and Susan (nephew and wife); Shane and Julie (great nephew and wife); Mike and Sarah (great nephew and great niece); Kaylee (great-great-niece) and family and friends too numerous to mention.

The funeral service was led by Rev Geoffrey Eynon. The bearers were Eric Morgan, Gordon John, Richard James and Hayden James.

There were family flowers only with donations in lieu to Ward 10, Withybush Hospital.

Funeral arrangements were carried out by Rhydian Eynon of Paul Jenkins and Sons, Fishguard, who are collecting any donations.

Mrs E. R. James

Milford Haven

The funeral service took place on January 18th of Edna Rosetta James (nee Critten), known as Nanny Max, of Milton Crescent, Milford Haven, who died on January 12th at Withybush Hospital, after a short illness. She was 83.

Born in Lowestoft, her family moved to Milford Haven in 1939 for the fishing industry, and she finished her education at Milford Haven Central School.

Her employment included working as an usherette in the Empire Cinema, as a shop assistant and making ice-cream in the shop at the outdoor swimming pool on the Rath, Little Haven turkey farm and finally Dowty Seals factory from where she retired.

She was the wife of the late Leonard James and the mother of the late Maureen Solomon and is survived by her son Terry Wakefield.

Her main interests were reading, cooking, walking Max the dog and being with her family.

The funeral service was held at Hamilton Court funeral home, Milford Haven, followed by interment at Milford Haven cemetery. The service was led by Rev Martyn Evans and the bearers were Mark, Gary, Brian Soloman and Roger Wakefield (grandsons).

The family left to mourn are: Terry and Sue (son and daughter-in-law); Terri-Ann and Graham, Suzanne, Roger and Moria, Mark and Sarah, Gary and Fay, Andrew and Karen, Brian (grandchildren and partners); Jean Davies (sister); Roy Critten (brother); Lily, Shirley, Yvonne, Margaret, Ruth and Alan (sisters-in-laws and brothers-in-law); 20 great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews and friends too numerous to mention.

Unable to attend were Ruth and Alan James, Roy and Shirley Critten.

Flowers at the house from Kyle and Michelle, Eileen and Paul.

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

Mrs R. M. James

Tavernspite

Rachel Mary (Ray) James, of Highmead, Lime Grove, Tavernspite, died on January 3rd. She was 85.

Ray was born at Lowmead Farm and farmed there with her late husband (Dick) until 1972. She moved to Penrhiw, Llwyndrain and to Tavernspite in 1982. Ray was a life-long member of Ciffig Church and was organist for over 60 years.

The funeral service took place at Ciffig Church followed by internment in the churchyard. The service was led by Rev Kingsley Taylor and the organist was Bryant Rees.

The bearers were Howard Bevan, Hywel Llewellyn, Harry Llewellyn and Meurig Davies.

The family left to mourn and principal mourners are: Philip and Margaret, Haydn and Angela (sons and partners); John, Linsey, Matthew, Michelle, Michael, Miranda, Rachel and Richard (grandchildren and partners); Tre and Oliver (great grandchildren); Mr and Mrs W. George (sister-in-law and brother-in-law); Mr and Mrs C. Morgan, Mrs Mildred Davies, Mr and Mrs Codd (cousins); Mr and Mrs Brian Morgan, Mr and Mrs Alan Foley and many friends and neighbours.

Unable to attend due to weather conditions were Joan and Kate, Sue, Maureen and Ian Lewis, Pamela, James and Judith.

There were family flowers only, with donations in lieu for Ciffig Church and Meddygfa Taf being accepted by Mr David E. Morris, of Hywel Evans, funeral directors, 3 Wesley Villas, Station Road, Narberth, who also carried out the arrangements with dignity and understanding.

Mr W. D. Davies

Hermon

William David Davies (Dewi) of Nantygeifr Farm, Hermon, died at his home on December 9th aged 89.

A service was held at Parc Gwyn Crematorium led by Rev Roger Thomas and assisted by Rev Emyr Wyn Thomas and Rev Hywel Mudd. Apologies were received from Rev George Ladd and Rev Anthony Bailey. A tribute was paid to Dewi by his niece Ruth Stubbs.

The bearers were Darren Davies, Eifion Williams, Hywel Williams and John Morley.

The principal mourners are: Lynn (brother); Audrey (sister-in-law was unable to attend); Margaret, Kathryn and Alan, Ruth, Paul and Hannah, Delyth and Keith, Carol and Dafydd, Rhydwyn and Helen, Ann and Wayne (nephews and nieces).

There were family flowers only and with donations being received for First Response, Crymych.

His ashes were buried at Llanfyrnach Church.

Funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr Colin Phillips, funeral director.

Mrs B. E. Jones,

Fishguard

The funeral of Barbara Jones, Heol Emrys, Fishguard took place on January 29th. She died on January 21st at Withybush Hospital aged 82.

Barbara was born and bred in Haverfordwest and was the youngest of six children, Gwen, Lilian, Joan, Billy and Gordon Edwards. She worked in Woolworths until her marriage to Jack (a telephone engineer), and moved to Fishguard where she resided for 52 years. She was pre-deceased by her husband in November 2003.

The funeral service was held at Parc Gwyn Crematorium and was led by Rev Geoffrey Gwyther. Jack’s cousin Rev Llinos Edwards gave a reading.

Barbara leaves to mourn: Debbie (daughter); David and Judith (son and daughter-in-law); Steven and Matthew (grandchildren); together with other family too numerous to mention.

The bearers were John Daye, Andrew White, Peter Nicholas and Stephen Hughes (nephews and nephews-in-law).

There were family flowers only with donations in lieu for ward eight, Withybush Hospital or Fishguard Health Centre c/o Paul Jenkins and Sons, funeral directors, Feidr Castell, Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, SA65 9BB who carried out the funeral arrangements.

MR P. Crockett,

CHESHIRE (formerly of Haverfordwest)

A member of a well-known Haverfordwest family, who had a distinguished aviation and nuclear energy career, has died aged 85 in St Rocco’s Hospice in Warrington.

Peter Highnam Crockett, youngest of three children of Mr and Mrs William (Bill) Crockett, of 7, Grove Gardens, Haverfordwest, left the town’s grammar school to become a design draughtsman in Cardiff.

During the Second World War, Peter worked with Sir Frank Whittle at Power Jets, Leicester, on the first jet aircraft engines, later working for Gas Turbines at the Farnborough Research Establishment. He then worked for the UK Atomic Energy Authority, where he became chief design draughtsman, playing a major role in the design and installation of nuclear reactors at Windscale and Dounreay until his retirement aged 60.

He met his wife Marjorie when they both worked for Power Jets and they celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary last May.

During his life he was always interested in new technology and was an accomplished photographer and a long-time computer expert. He was a talented artist and poet, an accomplished gardener, a keen music and nature lover and a skillful DIY exponent.

He frequently stayed in Haverfordwest and enjoyed visits to the coast and islands, and in latter years helping his sisters, the late Miss Betty Crockett, former headmistress of Fenton Infants School, and Mrs Barbara Tubb, a former teacher at Mount Airey and other schools.

He leaves to mourn his wife Marjorie; children Geoff, Liz, Bren and Steve; grandchildren Tom, Laura, Phil, Myles and Heather and sister Barbara.

The funeral took place on February 5th at Culcheth during which a glowing tribute was paid by Edward Joyce of the British Humanist Association.