Albert Whelan (Passed away 11 Feb 2017)

Albert was born and grew up in Swansea on 30th November 1926. The youngest of three boys, surviving both brothers, William and Robert.

He kept his Welsh roots close to his heart. Of course supporting the rugby. You knew not to visit when Wales were playing!

His early working life was as a Marine Engineer in Swansea. Later working for J & E Hall which took him round the country. It was heavy, hard work but he loved every minute. Getting on trains and buses with all his bags and tools and 'staying in digs'.

It was while he was working in Swindon, he met Joyce. They married on 3rd February 1951. Recently celebrating 66 years of marriage. Quite a feat by today's standards.

They had two Sons, Michael, closely followed 12 years later, by Andrew. He also had two Granddaughters, Sarah & Michelle, and a Great Grand Daughter Aimee.

His early retirement at 61, due to ill health, was very difficult. He was used to being busy. Mending, fixing and solving - and not so enjoyable, the paperwork!

His workshop (man cave) became his haven. To the inexperienced eye, it was a total mess, but he seemed to know, roughly, where everything was. He could happily continue to mend, fix and solve. His inventions - to stop birds getting into the pond, or, to stop cats getting on the roof (to name just a couple), we're not the most visually pleasing structures, but they sometimes worked!!

Then there were the legendary 'trips to the tip!' where he would often managed to return with more than he went with because "It might come in useful".

He would always be willing to help anyone. Whether giving lifts, loaning tools, fixing anything broken, if there was anything he could do he would.

Mostly, he was a very generous and caring man, with solid traditional values. Proud of who he was and of all his family.

His absence is sadly missed.