News

In these sad Covid times only 30 people were allowed in Coychurch Crematorium for the funeral of much loved Familyman, Businessman & BARFC Director & Treasurer Terry Coles.

Judging by the number of his friends lining the road to the Crematorium and the cards received and messages on Social Media including the Ath’s sites, in normal times the Crematorium would have been packed to the rafters.

This is a short account for those unable to attend to pay their final respects at the service conducted by the Rev’d Rachel Wheeler.

Ahead of the service 3 tractors preceded the hearse in tribute to his life selling farm machinery including tractors. The small red tractor in the procession was the last tractor Terry sold a week before his passing. His sister Vera had created a Green & Yellow Wreath in tribute to his 36 years with the Ath which constituted much of his social life. He and Paul would be most Saturday’s in the Ath clubhouse summer and winter.

Angela his wife was supported by sons Robert & Paul and daughter in law Rachel. Robert read a eulogy to Terry about how he met his wife while living in Cardiff, when Angela only 16 and last year they celebrated their 53^rd Wedding Anniversary.

Terry with Angela moved to Bridgend when Terry took a job as an Accountant at JG Plant, and shortly afterwards with his brother-in-law David Williams (An Ath stalwart) bought the business. Terry sold up a few years ago, but his love of trading in the farming community led to him setting up a new business in which he was still active – selling his last tractor a week before his passing. The family were moved by the number of messages from people Terry had helped on the employment ladder. One person summed him up as “A legend in the Tractor Community”.

His passion for rugby with Wales and the Ath saw him give 36 years service to the Ath, and in troubled times putting together a rescue package so that today the Ath has a healthy future. Robert thanked the Ath for its tribute to Terry and mentioned that Terry in 36 years barely missed watching an Ath game. The family invited his friend Adrian Burt to represent the club, giving him and the club the honour of being a pall bearer.

His other passion was his family and taking them to farms to play on bales of hay while he conducted business, and to family holidays in Portugal He doted on them all.

The Ath will badly miss Terry both as the driving force in ensuring it remains viable and his bond with players in regularly turning out all weathers home and away as a genuine supporter.

Angela has pledged when the opportunity presents itself to have an Ath fund raising memorial to Terry at the Ewenny Road clubhouse.

Charitable donations in memory of Terry may be made to the British Heart Foundation www.terencecoles.muchloved.com