A MASTER stonemason who was responsible for restoring the Barry Dock offices after it was badly damaged in 1984, has died aged 49.

David Andrew Edwards, known locally as Eddie, Mr Edwards was born in Barry, where he lived all his life.

Mr Edwards, a master stonemason in both architectural and monumental masonry helped hand craft many buildings and monuments of distinction across all parts of Wales and the South of England including Barry’s much-loved landmark.

An extension to the National Museum of Wales, Cardiff, was another of his accomplishments and he also worked in Knightsbridge, in London, following the Kensington Bombings, to restore the facades of the buildings.

His latter years were spent in the memorial industry and his work for Barry’s bereaved can be seen throughout Merthyr Dyfan Cemetery and across the Vale of Glamorgan.

One of his best friends, Andrew Halls, of Gaen Street, Barry, said: “Eddie was a family man with children and grandchildren who he doted on. He woke up on Monday August, 15 to go to work in Abergavenny and was checking the weather forecast when he suffered a brain haemorrhage.

"He was declared brain dead that day, but so that all his family - some of whom are not living locally- could say goodbye to him and also so that the specialist teams could harvest his organs, the life support machine was not turned off until Tuesday, August 16. As a result of his organ donation he has managed to assist five recipients.”

His funeral will take place at AG Adams Funeral Home, Gladstone Road, Barry, at 10.45am, on Wednesday, August 31 followed by an interment at Merthyr Dyfan Cemetery, Barry.

Mr Edwards’ family wish to invite all his friends and workmates to pay their respects.