John's Eulogy.

 

This is one of the hardest things we believe we have ever had to do and we have spent many hours thinking of what to say, but are there any words good enough to speak of John.

 

John fought his illness harder and more courageously than anyone we have ever known making a big impression on the nurses and doctors who treated him, amazing them and us with his strength and courage.

 

John had a good, happy and richly varied life, in the short time we have here we can barely scratch the surface of regale a fraction of the stories of what he got up to in his short life.  John loved life and lived each day to it's fullest.  He always did everything in his time which at times would drive you up the wall!

 

John was born in St James Hospital, Tredegar on 27th June, 1955 to Gwyneth and John Williams later to be followed by brothers Brian and Gwyn, and so began the life of the man that the people gathered here today were proud to call their husband, their dad, their grumps, their brother and their friend.  John lived in Tir-phil all his life, initially at the family home in Pleasant View and then following his marriage to Glenys in the new family home in School Street.  John was a loving husband, dad, grumps, brother, brother in law, son, son in law, good friend and neighbour and he was always willing to help other and frequently assisted the elderly.

 

John known to many as 'Bunners' lived a quiet simple life, he knew the true meaning of 'Family' and his most precious gift to us was his unconditional love and support.

 

John attended Tir-phil Primary School, he was never one to follow an academic path in life and although he was intelligent he wasn't destined for the Grammer School in Bargoed, after leaving Tirphil Primary School he went onto Bargoed Secondary Modern School, after all, that studying at the Grammer would only interrupt his lifestyle, even at such a young age.

 

Following secondary school he gained an apprenticeship with Mid Glamorgan County Council and trained as a carpenter. He moved from apprenticeship into full time employment and remained there for several years until an accident forced him to retire, as a result of this he would suffer from back pain for the rest of his life.

 

As John started his working life he met Glenys and they soon fell in love and it wasn't long before they were married in 1975.  His love for Glenys would remain forever and even when he was unable to talk in hospital his eyes would still convey his feelings and the love he felt for her.  The family grew with the births of their children MIchelle, Coral, John and Ann.  John was a family man and his children became the focal point of his life, until the arrival of his grandchildren, Courtney, Abbie, Mason, Dylan and Katie.  He would do anything for his children and grandchildren and devoted his life to them and Glenys.  He loved all the time he had with them and even went on many a happy holiday with them.

 

As his family grew he remained the necleus of it, a focus of love and affection that radiated out and reached those of us who were priviledged to know him.  Happiness to him in recent years was having his grandchildren around him and when you were in his company he would regale stories of what had happened with them.  He leaves behind the wonderful legacy of a close knit caring family.

 

There was never a doubt where you would go for Christmas or the New Year, John would welcome everyone into his home with open arms, plenty of food, drink and a guaranteed good party.

 

Following the death of John's father in 1998, John being the eldest took it upon himself to become the head of the family.  He mourned for the loss of his father but was comforted by his family and helping his mother.  His mother suffered a stroke in 2003 and John's family beliefs came to the front again, looking after his mam with the help of Glenys, combined with grandchildren duties their day was full.  This increased further a few years later as his mam fell and broke her hip.  Unfortunately mam passed away in 2011 and John in particular took it badly, mourning for many months.  We don't believe this sadness ever left him.

 

We now have a confession to make, John had a mistress one that he has known since before he met his beloved Glenys, and that mistress was rugby.  John was a proud Welshman and fanatical about rugby.  He followed the rugby from an early age and as soon as he was old enough he started to play for the local side New Tredegar Youth.  Those of you who knew John in later life may think this fact a bit of an exaggeration but at on time John was slim, strong as an ox and physically fit.  John played as a prop by choice who knows but he definately had the attitude to be one, stubborn and hard as nails.  When he finished playing he cintinued his association with the team trying his hand as supporter, medical man(who can ever forget the super glue treatment)coach and commitee memeber.  Now his coaching skills were shall we say different, one of his favourite things was to make you run around the rugby field for a few laps and then make you run across to the football field another few laps then just for fun up the coal tip once, maybe twice while he and Glen stood on the bottom laughing and chatting.

 

NOw this leads us to an astonishing announcement but did you know that John could be stubborn?  we know shocking isn't it, he definately followed his mother for this trait as once he had an idea in his head that was that, he wouldn't change, a trait he has embedded in all his children and grandchildren as those of you that know them will testify.  Take his beloved pony tail the more abuse he had for it and the more cries to cut it off, the more he was determined to keep it and keep it he did long and bushy.

 

Harking back to the rugby for a second and as we all know John was never one to hide under a bushel when it came ti a sing song afterwards and later joined the choir, not any choir but the Rhymney Silurian Choir where John remained a loyal chorister and commitee man.

 

John's family was always a huge part of his life and who can forget those famous Sunday trips to Breacon with Lynn, Ray, Carl, Malcolm and a convoy of friends.  All day was spent in the park with picnis, bq's, splashing in the river and a few lunchtimes bevies for the boys not forgetting the one or two for the road in the Cider Mill on the way home! Othere family occassions which he always made go with a bang were the bbq's in the garden at number 52.  I'm sure you can all remember that night when the bbq wouldn't light, Ray he never knew you could move so quick and jump so high!

 

He loved to put the world to right over a pint and would enjoy a good disscussion and would argue his corner vigorously if he believed he was in the right but such was his wicked sense of humour he would argue if he thought he could wind up the friend he was in disscussions with.

 

He had an infectious smile, laugh and generosity like no other when he entered a room he filled it, his laugh was mischievous and jovial with a laugh that was loud and consuming, you couldn't help but join in.  He loved a joke and a sing song and anything else that brought people together, those who knew him have been blessed.  He would talk to anyone and talk about anything.

 

It just seems so unfair to lose one who was able to bring so much joy to those around him, but we are glad that he no longer suffers with the pain he was wracked with in his last few months.

 

The deep love and sincere affection for John is undeniable and he would have been overwhelmed by all the love of his family and friends in this room today that are here to celebrate his life.

 

We have forgotten lots we're sure but the little we have shared to day will hopefully allow you to remeber John amd he time you have spent with him.  John was in life and will remain so in our hearts a loving husband, dad, grumps, brother and friend, remember the man that lived life to the full and gave us much happiness and so many memories.

 

This is a deeply sad day for us all but we must think of John's wit, his joyful laugh and his huge loving heart, as his nurse on his final day quoted " He has the bigest heart I have ever seen" and be comforted that he is with his parents and old friends, and with John ringing in our ears we would be proud to give the final word to him, as we all know he always liked that.

 

Diolch