FROLEY Malcolm James 
Suddenly but peacefully, with his wife Joy and family at his side, on Saturday February 3, at Morriston Hospital, Swansea, Malcolm, of Heol-y-Bardd, Bridgend, Malcolm was respected by so many and will be sadly

Funeral Eulogy

I first met Malcolm some 50 years ago when I was growing my business and it became necessary to employ extra butchers to cope with larger commitments, usually on Sunday mornings! I do not remember precise details, but Malcolm used to turn up and use his skills, along with several other men to earn what I suppose today would be considered modest rewards. He was a competent, skilled and hardworking butcher.

Malcolm James Froley was born to Eurwen and Trevor Froley on 22nd March 1949, their first born, to be followed later by his brother Brian. Trevor set a template for Malcolm, because he in many ways, his demeanour and manner echoed his father’s mannerisms.

Trevor joined our Penybont Lodge of Freemasons in the mid-70’s and Malcolm soon followed in 1977. Trevor progressed in our lodge but died in 1982, sadly a loss not only to Eurwen and the family, but to our lodge as he was well on to becoming Master in a few years.

Eurwen, Malcolm’s mother was stoic in adversity but quite capable of making her feelings felt. In fact, I regarded her as a typical Welsh “Mam”, dispensing generous portions of love and affection within the family.

Malcolm did not wish to progress in office within the lodge, but was an exceptional servant as a steward, originally in the old Adare Street premises and latterly at Tremains Road. He was a willing helper with many tasks and ran our bar in the old temple with extraordinary efficiency. In that regard, he will be sorely missed. He had served the lodge for some 41 years.

Malcolm left butchering and worked for many years at Cargovan on the estate and then spent the last 20 years of his life working for Tesco, firstly, and obviously in the meat department and latterly more generally about the store.

In retirement, Malcolm was able to devote his time to his wood work and more particularly his wood turning, in which he achieved considerable skill and much satisfaction. He also had an ear for music and his tastes were wide and catholic. He would retire to the front room to listen and did not have too much of a taste for Television. He also adopted a garden allotment and was a proud producer of produce from that enterprise.

Malcolm married Joy in 1978 and they were blessed with a daughter Elizabeth who joined Joy’s children Gordon and Joanne. 

Joy and Malcolm celebrated 40 very happy and contented years together quite recently and marked the occasion with a family trip to Centre Parks and it was upon returning home that he became unwell and was admitted to POW Bridgend and immediately to Morriston for some cardiac procedures. Unfortunately, the damage to his heart muscles was too great and Malcolm after a brave fight and much intervention by the hospital, passed away peacefully on the 3rd February.

He will be missed by so many people, the quiet man upon whom one could depend because his word was his bond, the ethos that was instilled in him by Trevor and Eurwen during his formative years, and the standards with which he lived his family life. Malcolm, a husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend will be sadly missed but his life remembered and appreciated by all those with whom he came into contact.

May he rest in Peace.