Tecwyn ‘Tec’ Roberts

“Treasured memories keep you near”

Tec passed away peacefully at Leighton Hospital on 2nd June 2021 aged 86 years.

Beloved husband of the late Barbara, also a Cherished Dad & Grandad.

Tecwyn was born on 13th August 1934, to parents William Owen and Catherine Roberts, at Bryncroes, Aberdaron. He was an only child and his Mum died when he was only seven. This meant that his father had to give up the farm they were tenanted to, and Tecwyn was brought up by his grandparentsin Llanengan, seeing his father only intermittently as they no longer lived together, and William needed to work to earn a living. It sounds like it wasn’t the easiest of family situations to begin life from.

At the age of 17 Tecwyn moved to Wheelock and took up an apprenticeship at ERF in Sandbach, followed by National Service at Honiton in Devon and Hamm in Germany. He trained in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. Incidentally, you might be amused by the REME Grace offered in the Mess before meals—

Heavenly Father, Heavenly Ghost
Who eats the fastest eats the most. Amen

Whilst undertaking his National Service he started a penpal exchange with a lady called Barbara Noreen Watts, who had seen his request in the soldiers magazine, and had begun exchanging letters with Tecwyn—the family have only just found some of those letters, where Tecwyn calls himself Terry,Terrence being the English translation of Tecwyn. Noreen, as she was known, was English through and through, so maybe it was Tecwyn trying to woo her by reaching out to her preferences? On January 24th 1959 they were married at St Paul’s Parish Church, Crewe—a church which still exists, now as St Paul’s Pantry and Crewe Christian Concern. They settled into married life in a flat on West Street in Crewe, before being asked to leave when Noreen was pregnant with their first child Nigel, who was born in March 1960. With help from family they were able to put a deposit on a bungalow in Grange Close, where they lived until 1983. Second child Angela was born in 1962, and their family was complete, although Angela is convinced that had she been born first they may have settled with only one child as she was enough work for both of them! School reports said ‘must try harder’! In 1983 the final move came, to Carlisle Street, Crewe, where Tecwyn and Noreen lived together until her death six years ago, and then Tecwyn remained there until his recent hospital stay, having carers to help him for only the final few weeks. Their life together as a family included holidays to Wales and Cornwall, but primarily North Wales, as there were ‘funny’ folk in South Wales. Sometimes they stayed with grandparents, sometimes they camped. Favoured places included Llangollen, Llandudno, Rhyl, Prestatyn, Abersoch and Pwllheli, and after the kids had left home Malvern and Hay-on-Wye were much loved holiday destinations too. Noreen always wanted to visit Scotland but sadly never made it there. Despite Tecwyn not being overly fond of parties, there was a small celebration at The White Lion at Weston for their Ruby Wedding Anniversary, which included arriving in style in a Rolls Royce.

Tecwyn’s working life revolved for almost 30 years around being a Master Welder at ERF. He was sadly made redundant in 1981, so he jobbed around a bit, and then set up doing wrought iron gates. He received an order from British Rail for some grills, but when the bank wouldn’t advance him the money for steel he gave it all up. He spent some time working at Mackies on Herbert Street doing fabrication metal work and agricultural repairs, and creating steels frames for buildings. His final job was at a garage in Wolstanwood as an odd job man and ferrying cars around from place to place, including some trips to Edinburgh, so Tecwyn at least did get to Scotland in the end. He was still pottering doing odd jobs at home at the age of 80!

In his personal life, and perhaps I ought to add political life, Tecwyn was a Liberal Socialist, and stood as a Liberal Councillor, being named afterwards ‘Mr Cornetto’ as he received 99 votes! He was a tolerant liberal, would support everyone regardless of sex, religion, colour, race—the only exception being any Indians who cheated at cricket! No one would have a bad word to say about Tecwyn, and he certainly showed his true nature and character in caring for his beloved wife Noreen in her ill health to the end of her life. He was cook, cleaner and carer. Nigel and Angela have both been affected by the same genetics of Noreen, with rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis respectively. Tecwyn was diagnosed with leukaemia a few years ago, and it was this eventually that took him, as well as the ‘frailty of old age’. He was ready though—and was able to talk with Nigel and Angela about his wishes before he passed away.

If we had to sum Tecwyn up, we might use words such as kind, quiet, a lover of nature and animals, watching sports including rugby (Welsh of course!) darts, cricket and football—Arsenal being his team of choice. He wasn’t a party animal, but was content with his life. He had a very sarcastic sense of humour. He was a good man.

Tec’s funeral will take place on Friday 18th June 2021 at Crewe Crematorium Chapel.

Donations are being collected for The Dogs Trust.

For further information about and to offer your condolences, please telephone our Funeral Home on 01270 584447