In the past the services I have always been to have been for elderly relatives who have passed away so to attend a funeral for someone so cruelly taken away so early seems unfair.

FAREWELL MY FRIENDS

It was beautiful as long as it lasted, the journey of my life.
I have no regrets whatsoever, save the pain I'll leave behind.
Those dear hearts who love and care…

And the strings pulling at the heart and soul
The strong arms that held me up, when my own strength let me down.
At every turning of my life I came across good friends
Friends who stood by me, even when the time raced me by.
Farewell, farewell my friends, I smile and bid you goodbye.
No, shed no tears for I need them not, all I need is your smile,
if you feel sad, do think of me, for that is what I'll like
When you live in the hearts of those you love,
Remember then, you never die.

by Rabindranath Tagore.

This poem was read at the service, I can find no details of an author and it seems that it may be known by different names.

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free
I'm following the path God laid for me
I took his hand when I heard Him call
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day
To laugh, to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way.
I found that place at the close of the day.

If my parting has left a void
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss.
Ah yes, these things I too, will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow.
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life's been full, I savoured much.
Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all to brief;
Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me
God wanted me now, He set me free.

Author – Unknown

Gwynfor Owen Lewis passed away on the 21st December aged 86 and just a few short weeks away from his 87 birthday but I need to remember that it was this time last year he was not expected to live more than a few days (in fact he was dead for a few minutes) but somehow managed to fight for every last moment of life, and to be honest with you there are very few things that you should fight for but life has to near the top of the list. He died peacefully after attending a Christmas party at the residential home – his fight finally over.

I have to say that I remember him as Robert McCall from the American television series The Equalizer, I remember as a child watching the programme and thinking that Robert McCall was great and even the premise of the programme was good with The Equalizer helping the people who had nowhere else to turn. The programme was aired in the UK in 1987 so I was under 10 but could still remember the iconic theme tune.

It was only a few months ago that I bought the season 1 box set to relive some of my old memories and have to admit that I was rather disappointed with the programme as it was not as good as I remembered, I suppose that is the problem about watching adult programmes that you remember as watching and enjoying as a child. Adults will have a completely different understanding of the programme. They do say that sometimes it is better to leave memories as they were and not try to relive them.

Of course Edward Woodward had been in a lot of other films and television programmes and of course had a successful stage career.

I always think that it must be upsetting for an actor/actress to be remembered for there most recent role and taking a look at all the shows he had been in there was quite a few but I think most people would have best remembered him for playing General George Hammond in Stargate SG1, or as Major Garland Briggs in Twin Peaks. I will be sad to watch the latest Stargate SG1 movie and see him in it and I am sure many fans from all over the world that will miss this talented actor.

It was only when I was looking for more information that I discovered that he was quite a talented artist so more than just a good actor.

Don Sinclair Davis (August 4, 1942 – June 29, 2008)

I always think that it must be upsetting for an actor/actress to be remembered for there most recent role and taking a look at all the shows he had been in there was quite a few but I think most people would have best remembered him for playing General George Hammond in Stargate SG1, or as Major Garland Briggs in Twin Peaks. I will be sad to watch the latest Stargate SG1 movie and see him in it and I am sure many fans from all over the world that will miss this talented actor.

It was only when I was looking for more information that I discovered that he was quite a talented artist so more than just a good actor.

Don Sinclair Davis (August 4, 1942 – June 29, 2008)