10/12/2023
Paul Arwyn Evans died on Advent Sunday 3 December 2023.
Born and raised in Titahi Bay, and living for most of his married life in Arawhata St. opposite St Anne's Church, Paul was a very loyal Welshman. Married to Gwladys from Llansaint, Wales; Some of Paul's direct ancestors, including bishops, came from Llansaint also. His Welsh-ness was attested to by the large contingent of Welsh people who attended his funeral at Whenua Tapu Chapel on Thursday.
Margot Griffith's tribute describes him as an extraordinary and exceptional person. He was a Life Member of the Wellington Welsh Society. An exceedingly knowledgeable heraldic historian, he could recount connections of characters in history that brought them to life - he was a raconteur....
In his eulogy at the funeral Porirua Anglican priest Terry Alve read from Dylan Thomas,
"Do not go gentle into the good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the night."
A conclusion was drawn that Paul's dying typified the Welsh spirit of defiance of a powerful enemy whether that be the English or things more private like death.
For Paul the 'light has died' and he has gone into the 'good night'. May he rest in the peace and hope indicated in the reading from St John's Gospel chapter 14:3, "I go to prepare a place for you, I will... take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also."
We extend our loving thoughts and prayers to Gwladys and their children Rhian and Gareth.
