Farewell to Ernie Lawson, a Llanelli hero

It was, perhaps, symbolic that a power cut hit Felinfoel right at the start of the funeral service for retired Llanelli businessman Ernie Lawson.
It summed up the feeling that a bright shining light had gone out in Llanelli.
Ernest Lawson, better known to all as Ernie, was a local hero in Llanelli for many of his 85 years.
Family man, businessman and entrepreneur, he led a rich and full life, contributing widely to various charitable causes.
Indeed, it was for his charitable work that he received the MBE in 1998.
In recent years, Mr Lawson had devoted himself to the care of his beloved wife Marion.
A retired JP, Mr Lawson was instrumental in helping to set up the Llanelli Sea Cadets.
The cadets formed a guard of honour at Holy Trinity Church in Felinfoel for the funeral service.
The bearers at the service reflected three of Ernie’s great interests. The six bearers were made up of Sea Cadets officers, Llanelli Freemasons and members of Llanelli Rotary Club.
Mr Lawson was a past president of Llanelli Rotary Club and a holder of the prestigious Paul Harris Fellowship award.
He was a vice-president of Cor Meibion Llanelli and the choir paid their own tribute by singing one of Ernie’s favourites, the wonderful Myfanwy.
A patron of the Llanelli Scarlets, Ernie loved sport. But most of all he loved his family and the people of Llanelli.
A proud champion of Llanelli, he started work in the town as a butcher, later establishing Lawson’s Cash and Carry and Lawson’s Frozen Foods.
In April, he was one of a number of people honoured by Llanelli Sea Cadets in a boat naming ceremony.
The funeral service was led by Reverend Canon Sian Jones, assisted by the Rev Eldon Phillips.
Holy Trinity Church was packed for the service – so full, in fact, that the congregation hardly missed the lack of organ accompaniment for the opening hymn.
Power was restored halfway through the service in a symbolic moment which characterised the way Mr Lawson brought light into so many lives in Llanelli.
The service concluded with the burial in the churchyard.
Former Star editor Robert Lloyd said: "If there was such a thing as a poll for Most Popular Guy in Llanelli, then Ernie Lawson would have won it hands down.
"He embodied the spirit of the Rotary movement - service above self.
"He cared passionately about Llanelli and Llanelli people and his charitable works are the stuff of legend. He will be sorely missed."