The obituary notice of Dafydd (Dafydd Bryn Rhug) ROWLANDS

I write this this on behalf of myself and my big bro. The extended Rowlands family and Daffyd especially were such a huge part of our younger years and we both wished life had allowed it to continue that way in our later lives, although we didn't get to spend the time we wished we could. The people and memories were and always will be in our hearts and minds.We experienced and learnt so much and Daffyd had a large hand in shaping the men we became. I often think when walking away from a job I need to return to the following day, Daffyd always taught you to clean your tools and put them back in their correct place. We knew what a hards days work looked like from a young age and although we thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it we also had the utmost respect for the people that did it every day. Although my visits were much fewer once I had a family some of my proudest moments as a parent come from Bryn Rhug. A last minute decision to take a long detour to the farm saw us arriving dressed far from suitably for work. We found Daffyd alone surrounded by sheep in the pens. I was naturally going to assist where I could regardless. Both Kyra and Jamie followed me into the pens without being asked and got stuck straight in to catching and ear tagging the sheep and Kyra was only wearing flip flops. It was a beautiful experience watching Daffyd training and explaining everything to my children the same as he had with myself and my brother. The last few times I saw Daffyd were utterly heart breaking but that is absolutely not how he will be remembered. My brother and I both agreed a couple of days ago, in a world that's gone health and safety crazy he will be remembered as a man that allowed us to be free and experience everything. We always refered to Daffyd as an uncle but we always considered him as our other Dad. I wish now more than ever I had learn to speak Welsh.

All our love and thanks for all you were and all you did for us.

Dan and Paul

Our friendship started over 45 years ago, we were camping in a friends field and Dafydd came over to introduce himself and in conversation he said my daughter Afona has a horse, would your boys like to ride it, that was the start of a long friendship.
We spent many a year having holidays up in Wales as the boys grew up, they wouldn't walk with us, but would walk miles with Dafydd gathering sheep. Dafydd said one day my brother is selling a caravan, would you like to buy it, which we did and nearly all our holidays were spent there helping out. One year we went and a lamb was born out of season, it couldn't be looked after as it was shearing time, the boys talked us into taking it home, so Dafydd did all the paperwork and home she went. We had a wonderful time with the lamb, so easy to train and take it for walks with the dog in the woods. When grown up we took her back to Wales and she spent the rest of her life, around the farm. Sadly we are both disabled now and cannot travel anymore, but at least we have memories. Rest in peace Dafydd lovely to have known you.

Dafydd, you have been a family friend for 45 years plus, we as families have had many happy times together. You will be sadly missed by us all. At least we have memories.