The obituary notice of Michael BOWDEN

Schwmae Cymros a Cymraes

Croeso to you All
I am dressed in this jacket in order to pay respect to Mike, a Party-animal......a Son of Cymru, a Son of Pontardawe. This is a carbon copy of one my late father wore and this is my late grandfather's pocket watch; through them as Sons of Pontardawe we/I pay respect to Mike
The most important people here today, are Mike family, Elize but especially Elize & Mikes young daughters, Naomi and Chloe, Children of Rwanda, Africa and of Cymru
I am very proud to say that it was me who first introduced and who made the effort to get them together, your Father & Mother in Chicago’s, Swansea. Yes, you two are the Blessed & Beautiful result of their love & marriage!!
Ladies, I can only tell you the truth and I have to tell you your father, Mike was a Lovely, Lovely Cymro, a Smashing man. In his company I felt myself ,,,for in your dads company I was besides a genuine, descent……Salt of the earth friend,....... your father Mike Bowden
Your dad had a natural Welsh purity of spirit, a ready and hearty laugh and sense of mischief. What a spirit though? He kept disappearing on nights out!Haha. He was worse than me! Where is he now I would think and expect the same every time I would bump into him! Ha
Mike what is your contact no? Here it is but it doesn't always work! Uhhh, does always work Mike!? That was over two years ago and yes Mike was right. I did not see him again. Yes Mike disappeared like the free spirit he was! Ha
I loved his naivety; I also understood his state of sensitivity: we both shared a kind of sweet and fairytale naivety but Mikes was more acute than mine…………………it felt like a kind of land of make belief
We are all probably aware of Mikes, “Dew-Dew!” ……his unmistakable identifying expression! Haha
Salt of the Earth Ladies……that was your Dad!

If there is one message I feel I need to address, in honour of the Memory & Spirit of Mike, for his Daughters, Naomi and Chloe….

Please…REACH-OUT, REACH-OUT……………Do not be alone