Bryan Clywd Jones

“A daily thought, a silent tear, a constant wish that you were here.”

Bryan passed away peacefully in the care of Leighton Hospital on the 13th July 2022 aged 75 years.

Much loved Dad to Neil & Maria. Also a cherished Tiad (Grandad) and Brother, who will be so sadly missed.

Bryan’s funeral took place at Crewe Crematorium Chapel on Friday 22nd July 2022 at 10am.

For further information and to offer your condolences, please telephone our funeral home on 01270 584447

*******************************************************************************************************************************

Bryan (or BIG BRIE or BIG BEAR) was big not just physically but big in his resilience and toughness in life, and big in the way he could give reassurance confidence and share humour. He was very well known to many here in Crewe and back in his homeland of Wales, especially of course the village of Cyffylliog near Ruthin where he lived as a child.

He was a true son of Wales. His allegiance remained strong all his life. During the funeral there were many references to his Welsh connection. His ashes are to be scattered near Cyffylliog.

Bryan’s daughter Maria and son Neil, and granddaughters Isabella and Madison will treasure his generous and joyful love for them and his inspiration in their lives.

He was the only son born to Myfanwy and David in 1947, sandwiched between 2 older sisters, Bet and Beryl, who are no longer with us, and Hazel his younger sister (who shared poetic words at the funeral).

Bet, who had previously moved to Crewe, took Bryan under her wing when he came here to live here in the early 60’s.

Aged 19, he married Sue who was to light up his life – to be the love of his life – for almost 40 years. They were to have great times together. Super holidays, for example, to places like Corfu or the Canary Islands. Loving children and family life.

Sue sadly died 4 years ago, but between them they left their loving imprint on their children.

HOSPITALITY and SERVICE were to be major parts of Bryan’s working life. In fact, except for a spell in the early days working as an electrician and a welder, all his work (and with Sue at his side, for the most part) was in hospitality and service. Pub and Club management, milk delivery, ice cream and burger sales, preparing and selling sandwiches, chef. He set up Abbey Taxis – an off shoot of hospitality and service.  As recently as 5 years ago he was working in the kitchen at the Hop Pole.

Bryan was very much a people person. He was most sociable. He had a bright if somewhat dry sense of humour. He was very much at home in a pub or club. Darts and Dominoes inside or, as behind the Hop Pole, outside playing Bowls.

The place he spent most time overall was probably the Nantwich Road Social Club. He was a regular there up until a couple of years ago, and a life member. He had served on the Committee in the 1970’s. So it is most appropriate that those attending were invited after the service to join the family in the Club.

There is a message there for all of us. Many of us have opportunities to befriend, to support, to encourage – whether in special or everyday situations. Follow Bryan’s lead. Be that helpful cheerful caring face.

Many of you will have reflected back to Bryan something of his friendship and good will.

A good friend in recent years has been a neighbour where he lived – Mel. Well done Mel! But also thanks and WELL DONES to lots of people – to the carers (especially carers from a company called “In Safe Hands”) and district nurses who tended him at home, to Leighton Hospital staff who cared for him in the long lonely times spent in hospital this past year.  And of course close family who have been there for him – Maria and her husband Rob, Neil and his wife Jeanette, Pete and Darren – and there will be others.

Towards the end he had had enough. Medical complications are no fun at all. He was ready to go, ready for release, ready to meet up with family and friends gone before him. He is now at peace. He has been spared final weeks or months in a Care Home, which he dreaded.

He bequeaths to all great examples and memories which will help to sustain going forward.

To his children he has already bequeathed inspiration, sociability, confidence, the importance of graft. Perhaps in their lives they carry forward some ambitions which were only half-fulfilled in their father’s life. They have picked up the Welsh legacy. For example, Neil and Maria have heart-warming childhood memories of holidays in Cyffylliog staying with Auntie Bell (Beryl) and Uncle Reg, and their dad taking them down to a stream to teach them how to tickle trout. They love Wales and Welsh culture, and will continue to carry the baton for their father’s homeland.

Bryan was a doting Taid (Granddad) to Madison and Isabella, often in early years picking them up from school and running them to dance. He was very proud of their achievements and often had a tear in his eye watching them perform.

Bryan and Sue taught both Neil and Maria to jive. Bryan and Sue were always the first on the dance floor at a party, no doubt giving the Grand-daughters their love of dance.

Love is so much bigger than ourselves, and much much stronger than death. Love even has an eternal ring to it. A million love songs will tell you that.

Bryan lives on, and it is in that love that those who love him can hope to see him again.