Dai Jones (28 Jun 1954 - 7 Sep 2018)

In loving memory of Dai Jones who passed away peacefully at his home after a short illness, on Friday 7th September 2018, aged 64 years.

Dai was a physically strong but incredibly kind family man. Loving, friendly, funny and generous with his time and energy. Never arrogant and always humble about his achievements. His amiable nature and love of chatting made sure that there will be many people whose life was made that little bit better or happier by meeting Dai.

Born in Abertillery in South Wales, Dai was the youngest of 7 children with 4 brothers and 2 sisters. His dad was a miner and Dai was always a bit of a scamp, tagging along, being a nuisance with his elder siblings. Sadly Dai’s mum died when he was just 8 years old and Dai was placed into care. This was, as you can imagine a traumatic experience and a difficult time for Dai.

Upon leaving school at 15 Dai went travelling around the UK and Europe searching for his place in the world. When he returned from Brussels he decided to flip a coin to look for work in either Yorkshire or Somerset. Well, Somerset won and so Dai helped to build the new M5 motorway. Dai then enrolled at college studying bricklaying as he needed a trade in order to be able to emigrate to Canada with a couple of mates.

Those plans were scuppered though when he met a young lady one day on the Castle Green. Love blossomed and they have been inseparable ever since. They got married in 1976 on Valentines Day and their love for each other enabled them to close the painful chapters of their lives and to become the people you all know today. They were blessed with 2 lovely daughters, and family life settled down here in Taunton. Later, Dai welcomed 2 son in laws into his family and became an extremely proud ‘Grancha’ to 4 youngsters. Dai’s family and legacy, which was so important to him, had begun. Dai’s early life had made him determined to create his own secure loving family unit to support and care for each other. His wife, beloved girls and their families meant everything to Dai and together they have shared so many memories.

Dai was a hardworking man and was with BT for 39 years, firstly as a storeman and later a payphone engineer. Pride of place at his beloved home is the very last red telephone box that he had to remove, a little bit of history & nostalgia for Dai (and everyone else that comes to his front door).

Now it wasn’t all work and no play and Dai’s building skills made sure that he was always kept busy with various projects at home or helping out his family where he’d nearly always start with a cup of tea and of course, a bacon sarnie. Dai also made sure that the skills that he had learnt have been passed on to his son in law & grandsons as well, especially the need to clean and look after your tools.

Dai’s love of the sea and swimming led to Dai, aged 40 to take up scuba diving and he went on to enjoy dives all over the world and was an active member of WATSAC, a local club. He became an instructor and mentor and could be relied on to encourage and support everyone he met to try the diving experience whilst respecting the underwater environment.

Dai loved to have a chat over a beer with the son in laws and friends and was especially proud the day his eldest grandson was old enough to buy him a pint. Dai played darts for many years, teaching most of the family and eventually they had enough for a team. Dai was not too pleased mind you when some of them actually became better players than him. Getting out of the pub was always a bit of a challenge as everyone would get their coats on and be ready to leave, only to find that Dai was having a last minute chat with someone about something, he did love to chat!

Dai loved family holidays surrounded by his loved ones. A favourite destination was the Gower Peninsula in south Wales, plus many other adventures around the world, including 10 trips to the Maldives! Then there was Australia, Egypt, The Caribbean and most of the UK and Europe. Dai did eventually get to Canada as well but with his wife to celebrate their Silver Wedding Anniversary viewing a beautifully frozen Niagara Falls before boarding the cross-continent sleeper train.

Later on in life Dai surprised everyone by agreeing to take up sequence dancing and to his surprise discovered that they loved it and were quite good at it. Waltz, Rumba, Foxtrot the lot. They made lots of new friends through dancing but the lovebirds only ever danced with each other. Cycling became another important hobby for them both and Dai got all the gear, especially those all-important padded shorts. They went on to enjoy cycling the Canals and Rail trails all over the UK and Ireland.

Dai spent many happy hours on the canals all over the UK, including Taunton/Bridgwater, Tiverton, Monmouth/Brecon, Llangollen, Kennet & Avon among others over the years. Mostly on his bike with his wife but also walking with his grandchildren and their dog. Out in the open air, appreciating the simple beauties of nature, whilst also taking in interesting facts about their history and previous usage. Dai would love it if the canals could be preserved in good condition for his family and all others to enjoy now and in the future. If you would like to donate to the Canal and River Trust, please follow the link on this page.

Dai’s Instructions - with excerpts from a poem by Arnold Crompton

Now I have moved beyond you in the adventure of life,
Gather in some pleasant place and remember me.
Let a tear fall if you will, then let a smile come quickly
For I have loved my life.
Do not linger too long with your sadness.

Go eat and talk, and when you can -
Follow a woodland trail, climb a high mountain, take in those views, enjoy the wild seashore or cycle the peaceful canal.
Chew the thoughts of some book or film which challenges your mind.
Dance with a loved one in your arms to your favourite music.
Use your hands to build a workshop or to help someone with theirs.
Share moments and create memories with family and friends (old and new).

Though you mention not my name, though no thought of me crosses your mind, I shall be with you.
In difficult times, I shall be very close to you.

I have followed the valleys, climbed the heights, swam in and under the seas and have lived a full life with so much love and laughter.
These have been the realities of my life for me. I loved it all. I shared and I loved and I was loved in return.
I have no regrets.

You know!