Tenby has lost one of the town’s great characters. John Clifford Thomas Perkins, known to everyone as Sonny, passed away peacefully at Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest, on Wednesday, July 26. He had celebrated his 97th birthday on Monday, May 1.

Following the death of his mother, Sonny was brought up in Trafalgar Road by his aunt Nellie Jenkins and her husband Arthur in a loving family. His brother Billy ‘Fly’ Thomas and his sister Mary Penson both died in recent years.

He attended the National and Council Schools prior to commencing employment with Hermann Thomas, of St. Julian Street, where he spent the whole of his working life until he retired on his 65th birthday. Sonny was never interested in learning to drive and he can be remembered pushing a wooden cart containing plumbing tools and materials around Tenby.

Sonny joined the Territorial Army. In 1939 he was called up as a Reservist to serve his country in World War II and spent time in North Africa and Italy. He was a member of Tenby Fire Brigade for over 25 years and enjoyed helping to organise events such as the annual carnival.

Whilst home on leave, he met Molly who worked in the Café in Woolworths although it was sometime before she agreed to their first date! Sonny and Molly married on September 29, 1951, and last year celebrated their 65th anniversary.

Initially, Sonny and Molly lived with her mother and then, for four years, in rooms with Ian and Cassie Griffiths in Trafalgar Road. In 1956, they moved to a new flat in Knowling Mead before retiring to Tyssul Court when it was built in 1983.

In 1955, Sonny and Molly were blessed with a daughter Janice, but tragically she died in 1983 aged just 28 years. This was the low point in Sonny’s otherwise wonderful life.

Sonny was well-known in the community for various reasons, including his humour and prowess as a sportsman. He was an entertaining story teller and had an amazing ability to remember and repeat jokes, most of which he had first heard on the radio. He had an excellent singing voice and was also an expert in Tenby ‘back slang’.

As scrum half for Tenby United, Sonny was renowned throughout West Wales. He was skillful, pacey and brave. Despite his army service, he played 248 games for the club which he captained in 1948 and then for two seasons in 1950 and 1951. He also represented Pembrokeshire on several occasions.

Whilst on the rugby field, Sonny was an intelligent player and usually built up a rapport with the referees, many of whom were ‘in his pocket’ by the end of the match.

Sonny was a very competent single figure golfer. When he started playing, he practiced religiously. He loved spending time on Tenby’s famous links with his rugby contemporaries such as George Edwards, Arthur Ormond, Cecil Griffiths, Derek Williams and Arthur Booker.

Sonny won numerous trophies and cups at Tenby Golf Club, including five in one year. For some time, he and Mervyn Tucker were almost unbeatable as a pair. He was still playing regularly at 92 years of age. He was granted life membership of the club in 2010.

Sonny will be remembered for his great personality. He had time for people from all walks of life and was capable of making them laugh. He had confidence in his own ability which was evident in his sport and his life generally.

Although sport was very prominent throughout Sonny’s life, he thought the world of his beloved Molly to whom he was devoted. Their last foreign holiday was to Italy in 2000. They visited places Sonny knew from his war days and Molly recalls he spoke perfect Italian!

Sonny was always extremely close to his son-in-law Barry, together with his grandchildren Carris and her partner Dan and Thomas and his wife Kelly whom he idolised and the feelings were mutual.

Sonny’s popularity was exemplified by the large congregation which attended his funeral at St. Mary’s Church on Monday, August 7. The service was conducted compassionately by Rev. Robb Wainwright. Ian Nicholls delivered a superb summary of Sonny in his fine eulogy. Carris Headland spoke very fondly about her grandfather. Sonny’s bearers were Barry Headland, Thomas Headland, Karl Smith, Dan Bude, Richard Ormond and Johnny Morris.

In addition to his wife Molly, Sonny leaves son-in-law Barry and his wife Gill, grandchildren Carris and partner Dan and Thomas and wife Kelly, brother-in-law Derek, cousin Myrna, nephews and nieces Kate, Billy, Brian, plus Helen and her husband Roger, Stephen and his wife Jan and their sons Gareth and Lloyd, great-cousins Linzi and Jane, great-nieces and nephews Joanne, Justin, Harriet, Edward, Ronnie, Rebecca and her mother Jenny, Jonathan, Celia, Joy and David, together with Julie, plus Lexa and Paul and Steven.

Those unable to attended included Jane Williams, Rhonda Sharman, Paul and Harold Lunner, of Canada, Dr. Harriet King and family in Australia, Sheila Davies and Glyn plus David, Sally, Stephanie and Thomas.