The family of Owain Davies, a well-known businessman in west Wales who died in a plane crash in the Swiss Alps, have paid an emotional tribute to him, saying he was the "heart" of their family and left them with memories they will treasure for ever.
Mr Davies, 55, was travelling as a passenger alongside two close friends when the plane crashed in the Swiss Alps on September 15. All three occupants died in the incident, which is being investigated by the Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB).
Community champion remembered
Following his death, hundreds paid tribute to Mr Davies, who was the management director at engineering firm Amcanu, based in Burry Port, Carmarthenshire. He was described as a "deeply caring" father and grandfather and a "community champion" who "gave his time, energy and support to countless people, organisations and causes".
In a message posted to social media, Mr Davies' widow Michelle and children Aron and Ffion said he was the "heart" of their family. "For Mami, he was her husband, her soulmate through so much of their life together," they said. "For Aron and Ffion, he was Dad, a mentor and true friend."
Family's tribute
They said he has left them with memories that they will treasure forever, adding that he was a "character" who knew how to fill up a room. They wrote: "There really are no words to properly express how grateful we are for all the love and support we have received since losing Dadi."
They said they have been overwhelmed by the love and kind words sent to them. "To see just how many people knew Dad, loved him, respected him and have taken the time to reach out to our family has meant more than we can say. Thank you to every single person who has been there for us."
"We are incredibly proud of Dadi and of the life he lived. He was a man who believed in giving back and helping others wherever he could. He gave his time, his energy and so much of himself to the people and things that mattered to him."
"And anyone who knew Dad will know that he was certainly a character. He had a wonderful sense of humour, a huge personality and a way of making people laugh without even trying. He filled a room, had plenty to say and left an impression wherever he went. There are so many memories of him that will make us smile forever."
"For Mami, he was her husband, her soulmate through so much of their life together. For Aron and Ffion, he was Dad, a mentor and true friend. And for all three of us, he was at the heart of our family."
Flying passion and legacy
Mr Davies' family described flying as a "genuine passion" for him and said it brings them comfort to know he died doing something he loved. "There was nowhere quite like the sky for him," they wrote. "Flying was a genuine passion and something that brought him so much enjoyment."
"Although losing him is something we are struggling to comprehend, there is a small comfort in knowing that Dad passed doing something he loved – flying high in the sky. In true Dad fashion, he left doing what he loved."
The family also spoke of working alongside Mr Davies at Amcanu. "Dad poured so much of himself into the business and was incredibly passionate about what he had built and where he wanted it to go. Aron and Ffion will carry that forward. We will continue to build on what Dad started and make sure Amcanu grows into everything he dreamed it could be, carrying his values and vision with us along the way."
They mentioned his grandsons Oakley and Albie, who knew him as Taid. "Not a helicopter can fly over our house without Oakley shouting 'Taid!' and it will be one of those little things we treasure forever."
Celebration of life
Mr Davies' family said he had always expressed not wanting a funeral, and Amcanu has since shared details of a 'celebration of life service'. It will be held at the Quinnell Lounge at Parc y Scarlets in Llanelli on November 13 from 5pm.
His family said: "It will be a chance for everyone who knew Dad to come together, share the memories, tell the stories, have a laugh, raise a glass and celebrate his life. Because although we are heartbroken to have lost him, Dad's life was about so much more than the way it ended."
Anyone wishing to make a charitable donation in Mr Davies' memory is asked to give to the Wales Air Ambulance, where he served as a trustee since 2017. People are asked to RSVP to the celebration of life by emailing ffion@amcanu.co.uk.
