Pembrokeshire Rugby lost one of its best-known former players with the passing of Eddie Lewis, who played for so many years as a centre with Pembroke, Pembrokeshire and, later on, the Welsh Districts XV.

At his funeral a moving eulogy, written by club chairman Darrell Willington, was read out by Rev Norman ‘Butch’ Gilbert and we are pleased to be asked to reproduce it on PembrokeshireSport.co.uk . . .
 

TRIBUTE to CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF EDDIE LEWIS
by Darrell Willington

Today we gather to reflect on, remember and celebrate the life of Eddie, who very recently, quietly and peacefully passed away in his home after a period of illness.

He is mourned by his sister Stella and brother Albert (who sadly due to ill health cannot be here today), who are the two remaining siblings from a family of eleven children, his large and diverse family, all at Pembroke rugby club, a large number of close friends, ex-work colleagues and former sporting adversaries.

Eddie was extremely proud of his large family and siblings, and more especially the four sons in his life, Ed, Stuart, Richard and Peter, all of whom forged successful careers of their own and followed him by playing rugby locally and further afield with great success. He thoroughly enjoyed watching them all around the country.

Whilst they have so many memories of their own, one unusual pastime, when living at Springfield, in The Green, included the breeding and keeping of ferrets for use on regular rabbiting trips with Eddie’s mates.
In recent years Eddie cherished his time with all of these four men and more recently he was regularly taken to home matches, where he would readily pass judgement on what he had seen.

Another joy in his later life which he loved was interacting with his grandchildren, who loved him dearly.
Eddie was a larger than life personality, who was revered and respected not just locally, but in many places around West Wales and beyond. Rarely seen without a smile, Eddie had reached the venerable age of 86 years and was a much loved and very popular character, who had built a reputation as a caring, thoughtful, hard-working and fun loving person.

The whole family grew up in Monkton and growing up in a large, sometimes very competitive group, one of Eddie’s idioms was “first up, best dressed”. There were many happy memories of being thrown into the river off Colley’s Landing to learn to swim, playing “chicken” at Priory Farm, hiding in the hayrick, seeing who would be the first to move whilst Ernie Jenkins prodded wildly with his pitchfork; summer camping at Freshwater East and Barafundle, rabbiting with his close friend Billy Blunsden, BBQing with beers at the Grotto pub. Eddie really enjoyed making regular visits to Haggar’s Dance hall, where he was always dressed very smartly with shiny shoes and fancied himself as a top performer when doing the fox-trot and tango; he proved himself a dab hand by winning many dancing competitions.

Eddie was extremely proud of his brothers and the fact that they played together for Pembroke RFC for a number of years. Albert always called him “his rugby hero”, whilst his sister Stella, who has been devastated by his passing, has said she has many cherished memories of a much loved brother, who was great fun to be with. Albert also said that he was eternally grateful to Eddie, who was always willing to give time to transport and support him during the many spells of hospitalisation he had to endure with his leg problems.

But from an early age with his build, athleticism and speed Eddie was destined to be a sportsman and very soon rugby became an obvious and natural avenue to channel his energy and talents, provide a purposeful hobby and opportunities to have many experiences and expand his horizons.

Ex-team mate and close friend Tony McTaggart fondly remembers going pheasant shooting at West Hill, where he said the safest individuals were always the pheasants, whilst also enjoying Cardiff rugby trips and staple visits to Tito’s nightclub. No doubt there are many here today who have their own cherished memories, which no doubt will be shared later at the club.

In the days since his passing his siblings, his sons and their families, and the grand children have consoled themselves and smiled a lot by reflecting on the good times and the many memories they have of him and the activities they shared with him.

No doubt other close friends, ex work colleagues, ex-team mates, adversaries and people from other spheres, who interacted with Eddie, who may or may not be here today will have their own memories of a larger than life character, some of which can and will be shared later today, whilst some will probably forever remain untold.

One workmate, Ian Forsyth, recently recanted what he called a typical impromptu tale to Andy Dow from an M4 journey home from a job at Canvey Island; when after recognising Sammy Davies Junior travelling in a gold Rolls Royce, Eddie promptly stood up out of Ian’s car’s sunroof and shouted “How’s Frank?” But, inevitably failed to get a response at 70+mph. 

Eddie is probably best known and remembered for his exploits on the rugby field; a place where he excelled and built a reputation as a no-nonsense, tough, skilled, adaptable, competitor capable of playing anywhere in the team, according to team mates of the time.

There are some of you here today, who will have played alongside or against him and can testify to his rugby abilities; his pace for a big man, ability to put in deft dribble kicks, his determination and competitiveness, which earned him not only renown in the then local competitions, but as a prominent County player.

Everyone at the club, his family and friends were exceptionally proud of him and his brothers Ivor and Morgan, when all three were selected for and represented the County together against Breconshire in 1963; the first trio of brothers ever to achieve this milestone.

In 1972, well into his thirties, after some heralded performances for the County and a successful showing in the final trial in Neath (where he scored a try and then got injured) he achieved the ultimate accolade of being one of the very few Pembrokeshire players of his era to gain a much-prized Welsh Junior Union Cap in a winning performance against Belgium at Pontypool in 1972, in front of a large contingent from the town that had travelled to support him.

Some here will have played against him and could testify to his prowess on the field, his humour, love of a pint and opportunities to build relationships with opponents that were very important to him and maintained well after his playing days.

In fact, despite his dementia in his later years, he loved coming to watch his beloved club at home games, where his sons were always amazed to see that he could recognise old adversaries and loved engaging in recalling memories and stories with them, over a beer, or three (if he could squeeze a few more in, away from the gaze of his minders!!)

Rugby also prompted Eddie, Morgan, the family, friends and team mates to travel to watch Wales at many Six Nations venues and ultimately a trip to South Africa to watch a British and Irish Lions tour, which proved a massive highlight. Some of his mates have shared brief recollections of the fun they enjoyed on these various trips and Eddie’s confidence to approach and engage famous players and officials in discussion, when the opportunities presented themselves; however, some of the details of their activities on these trips rightly remain confidential to this day.

Besides his exploits on the field, which gained him huge notoriety and many life-long friends, Eddie enjoyed a diverse working life, serving his time as a boiler-maker/riveter in the then busy Hancock’s ship yards in Pembroke Dock, before becoming an accomplished welder/fabricator working for a number of local firms at home and further afield.

In later years, due to his personality and humour he gained the respect of many youngsters that he mentored, many of whom are here today paying their respects, which in itself portrays their affection and respect for him. Speaking recently to some who had fallen under his supervision as youngsters, it was plain from their comments that he was always prepared to give them time and cared for their development as tradesmen, whilst they also reflected on a fun loving character, who always loved sharing a joke, a pint and dissecting sporting matters of the day.




The hard working rugby club committee often called on him, brothers Ivor and Morgan and a large number of skilled member-tradesmen, as a volunteer force. All took great pride in working incredibly hard to build the stand at the club’s main pitch and to make sure that the club’s facilities were of the highest possible standard. There is no doubt that their combined contributions over many years had a positive impact on and off the field.

In his retirement years he would be seen busying himself by providing gardening services, rumbling around in his favourite blue and later white trucks meeting the needs of his many satisfied customers. He thrived on social contact and his many friendships and loved nothing more than a good natter, whether it was about sport, work issues, or just chewing over broader aspects of life’s challenges.

During the last years and months of his life he received loving, caring support from his close family and his marvellous Care in Hand team, which allowed him to be in his own home and retain his independence, right up until his peaceful passing.

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RIP Eddie, a full life, well lived and enjoyed, we will all miss you and you will always be remembered very fondly by so many locally and further afield for the varied impacts you made on everyone’s lives.
 
Eddie will be interred at Nash cemetery, where he will be reunited with his wife Dulcie, who passed away some years ago.

The wake will then take place at Pembroke RFC and everyone is invited to attend.
 
 
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It was an honour and a privilege to write this for the family.
Darrell Willington (Dec 17, 2022)