Terry (Mathew Terrence ) Powell (7 May 1934 - 6 Feb 2023)

In loving memory of Mathew Powell who sadly passed away on 6th February 2023.
Family flowers only by request, however donations to Dementia UK in memory of Mathew would be welcome and can be made online using the JustGiving link on this page, or by cheque payable to the charity and sent c/o Lee Fletcher Funeral Services, 95 High Street, Cosham PO6 3AZ. Telephone 023 9238 4455

Mathew Terrence Powell was born on 7th May 1934 in the Rhondda valley in a little coal mining community in the town of Treherbert. This little town is right next door to Treorchy, where the famous male voice choir started.
In his early years, the entire family moved out of Wales and headed toward Devon to a little seaside town called Paignton. His parents, Frank and Margaret and his two brothers and sister, George, Don and Margaret started off in Maidenway road which soon filled up with aunts ,uncles and cousins and friends that have lasted a lifetime.

One such friend was Jacky Honeywell, and he said to me that what drew him to Terry ,my dad was that he was honest, kind and gentle natured, but also good humoured with a twinkle in his eyes. This continued throughout his lifetime, right through to his final day.

Terrys childhood was shaped by the times to a certain extent. During world war 2 , he was able to go out and about in the woods and lanes with his dear dog Rex, and friends. Up to the windmill and getting a regular supply of chocolate from the American soldiers who were stationed nearby.

Dad went to Polsham primary school and later onto Tweenaway secondary school. Although he attended regularly, his preference was for sport and woodwork.
When he left school he was offered an apprenticeship and learned to be a very good cabinet maker. He started at John E Bonds, where he was apprenticed and moved on to Benbows and finished his working time at Trico in 1995.
He done his National service in the REME as a recovery engineer and in those two years ended up as a corporal.
He made some friends for life during this time, Chris Barry, Tony Presser and some others . He was just a really lovely person, and was what I term a people magnet.

Towards the end of his National service in 1956 , he met my mum ,Christine at the Spa ballroom in Torquay ,they got engaged on New Years Eve 1957 and finally married in 1959 ,honeymooning in London.

A year later , I arrived (Linda) in 1960 and two years onwards they welcomed a son, Michael.

Dad also enjoyed spending time with his nephew Graham, as dad was quite a young uncle . I’m sure there are stories to share on those times!

His parents were very important to dad ,along with his siblings and their families. He adopted the same approach to all his in laws when he married mum ,and had good fun with cousins Susan and Robert .

We had a lovely childhood, holidays in Cornwall and Wales, Butlins, and a trip abroad to 3 capitals.
Sundays were either spent down the beach or on Dartmoor.
Eventually time flew by, I married and my husband Mike and I provided dad and mum with their first granddaughter Joanna, followed by their grandson Jonathan. My brother Michael married a few years later and another granddaughter ,Beverley arrived followed by Stephanie.

Dad and mum enjoyed fun and socialising and spent many a Friday night playing cards and having a wee tot of “ski” at Margy and Petes ,or sampling cocktails with their close neighbours Rob,Ann and family.

Dad and mum started to travel more extensively and went to some wonderful countries but I think the long tour of Canada was their favourite.

Eventually the grandchildren started families themselves and great grandchildren arrived, firstly Felicity,then Jack, Lewis,Talula,and Tommy.

Mum and dad were married for 62 years ,received a card from Queen Elizabeth 2 on their 60th wedding anniversary.
Dad lost his true love (mum) at the end of 2020 , but carried on for a further 2 years….always gentle, always kind but now battling with the awful disease of Dementia. He had fantastic carers throughout the two years. The first year carers helped him in his bungalow as he felt close to mum there and with their help we managed to fulfil that wish. However, dad eventually went into private care and again, was looked after exceeding well. He had such fun and a good quality of life . Dad was so happy in his final years . He was always singing, along to Barbra Streisand ,and songs from musicals until the disease finally took his voice .
Dad fell asleep peacefully on 6 th February, I was privileged to be with him, holding his hand to the end.
What a wonderful person, loved by so many……...
I will miss him dreadfully but am happy that he is now at peace and reunited with mum…” his Chris.”