A young dad who was hoping to return home from hospital this weekend after battling Covid has died from complications linked to the virus.
Huw Gethin Jones, who was well-known and hugely popular, messaged his friends from hospital on Wednesday saying he was feeling better and was looking forward to being back home. Sadly, he died on Friday. He was just 34.
Tributes to Mr Jones have poured in from across Wales, many from rugby clubs shocked by his untimely death. Rugby legend George North was among them.
Until recently, Mr Jones was a star player for Llangefni RFC’s first team, North Wales Live reports, a second row forward who was nicknamed “Huw Stretch” for his height and expertise in the line-out.
As one of a group of players responsible for establishing a Premiership rugby team in north Wales, his passing drew a heartfelt response from Wales rugby star North. On hearing of his death, he tweeted: “Such sad news. I’m so sorry to hear this. My thoughts are with his family.”
A talented musician who worked as a TV editor for Rondo Media in Caernarfon, Mr Jones, from Llynfaes, near Llangefni on Anglesey, was also an entrepreneur, founding craft brewery Bragdy Mona with six friends. He leaves wife Teleri, a GP, and two young children, Gwydion, three, and Math, one.
Ynys Môn MS Rhun ap Iorwerth was also quick to express his shock and sadness at Huw’s death.
“This is a cruel virus,” he tweeted.
“Care for each other, and do what’s right to keep others safe. My deepest condolences to those who are grieving.”
On Saturday a fundraising page was set up to raise money to support Huw's family now and in the future.
Organiser Manon Dafydd said a “wave of sadness” had engulfed his family, colleagues and many friends. Within four hours the appeal, on the GoFundMe website, had reached £10,000, and by Sunday afternoon had reached £22,000.
On the GoFundMe page she wrote: "On February 19, 2021 a wave of sadness hit the family, friends and co-workers of Huw Gethin ‘Stretch’ following the news of his death due to coronavirus. Huw’s infectious personality would fill the room, always full of fun and telling stories. He gave 100% to every aspect of his life.
"Huw was a big family man, and this page was created to raise money to support the family during this difficult time and in the future."
A similar tribute was paid by Simon Jones, chairman of Llangefni Rugby Club. Huw had been a popular fixture there since rising through the junior ranks, at one time coached by Steve Kieran, who himself died just before Christmas.
For many years he was a stalwart of the first team. His father, Dafydd, was a former chairman of the club, and is now president, while his brother and “best friend” Rhys coached the youth team.
Simon Jones, who succeeded Huw's father as club chairman, said the entire club had been deeply saddened by Huw’s death.
“Huw was universally popular, very eloquent and hugely knowledgeable about all things but especially rugby,” he said.
“He was always very pleasant with people and could strike up a conversation with anyone. Our thoughts are with his family. Speaking to them, I know they have been very touched by all the messages of support and condolences that have been sent to them by rugby clubs right across north Wales.”
Huw’s talents also extended to music. He was a member of the choir Hogia Llanbobman, and a guitarist and vocalist with rock band #Band6, performing both at rugby clubs and weddings.
Among Huw’s many interests was brewing. He was to become a driving force of the Bragdy Mona brewery, established with six friends after he impressed them with his home brews in a series of late night “tasting sessions”.
They were old school friends in their 30s – five of them members of Hogiau Llanbobman – who each each committed around £5,000 to set up the brewery. Despite the pandemic, Bragdy had continued operating as the company was able to develop online sales.
However no one at the brewery is now willing to contemplate the future until they come to terms with the loss of their “head brewer”.
You can contribute to the Huw Gethin Jones GoFundMe page by clicking here.
