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| 24 Apr 2026 | |
| Written by Huw Richards | |
| OBs Remembered |
Max was born in Maesteg on Christmas Eve 1935 then moved to Brecon when he was an infant, where he spent the next 20 years.
Max had a very happy childhood with his parents Stanley and Prudence running the Market Tavern pub and hotel. Max had younger brothers Ffrangcon and Colin to whom he was close to growing up. Ffrancgon emigrated to Australia in his 20’s so most of their adult contact was by telephone letter and later Skype. Colin remained in Maesteg.
Max attended the public school, Christ College. Max often said he hated school but bizarrely remained very proud of attending Christ College.
Max met his wife Valerie whilst they were both working at Hughes and Jone furniture shop. Valerie was the cashier and Max a removal man. After a couple of years courtship, they married at Llangynwyd church and enjoyed almost 60 years of marriage until Valerie passed away in January 2023.
Max and Valerie had three children. Nicola, Simon and Anthony, who all remember growing up in a safe happy environment. One of their great holidays was all piling into the car and Max driving them down to the South of France, he had road rage even back then.
Anthony met and married Lorna. Soon after their wedding Lorna’s father passed away and Max made sure Lorna was embraced into our family.
Max loved his Grandchildren, Hollie, Oliver, Emily and Annie and also welcomed Jordan into the family as his fifth Grandchild. The kids would look forward to visiting just to have Granddad’s Bolognese and of course their pocket money.
After a career in the Ford Motor Company, Max enjoyed 31 years of retirement having a great quality of life, however over the last couple of years he was slowing down.
So, what did Max fill 31 years of retirement with?
Max was an avid jazz fan and even chose his own music for today so the family apologies for that. We are now in possession of over 3000 jazz CDs so if there are any other jazz fans out there, feel free to pop in and help yourself.
Max didn’t embrace modern culture believing that good music and good film-making ended in 1952.
Max was also a cricket fanatic and in retirement became a VP at Glamorgan and would head off on the train to Sophia Gardens with his Panama hat and his picnic basket for the day.
Max loved Indian cooking and regularly cooked for the family. We have also inherited the best spice cabinet in Maesteg, don't pop in for that though.
Max loved supercars and Rolex watches, unfortunately he never possessed either, instead he and Valerie spent all their money on going on holidays, probably about 8 times a year with Spain being one of their favourite destinations including a time when they lived there.
Max had a sharp mind until the end, still shouting out the answers to the University Challenge Questions and rolling his eyes if the contestants didn't know the answer.
Max passed away in the family home on the morning of 16th October 2024 and will be missed by all the family.
Max believed that children shouldn’t suffer, and got very upset when he saw adverts for Great Ormond Street Hospital so in lieu of flowers, any donations to this special charity would be appreciated in memory of Max.
