On behalf of everyone at Aberavon RFC I am really sad to announce that David (Dai) Owen passed away yesterday morning after a long and difficult battle against the horrible illness of dementia. Dai was a huge part of the club as an ex player, team manager and social club secretary for many years. He also played a large part in the Welsh Districts over the years and helped a number of clubs achieve WRU status.
His working life was spent with the local authority where he worked in the valuation and rating section rising to be a senior member of the department, he was also a keen trade union member throughout his career.
Following retirement, he took over as secretary of the rugby club at Aberavon and spent a huge amount of time there. He then organised several British Lions rugby and England cricket trips to places far and wide including Australia, New Zealand and South Africa which were fondly known as Dai Owen Tours and hugely enjoyed by everyone who was fortunate to be part of them. He made friends all over the world on these ventures which he organised with precision.
On a personal note I loved him to bits, he was a great character, hugely proud of his roots in Pontrhydyfen, his family and rugby connections there and the long association with Kelso RFC in the Scottish Borders. He was a great help to me in running Aberavon RFC in the days when his sharp mind and experience in rugby was profound before the awful illness took hold.
I will miss him greatly but it’s balanced by the knowledge that he is at peace now.
Our heartfelt sympathies go to his sister Nerys and of course Steven and all the family.
Andrew.