In Loving Memory of Iwan Rhys Lavis
Iwan was just 23 years young, from Brecon, though he spent his early years in beautiful Pembrokeshire. He was the much-loved youngest child of Nigel and the late Fiona, and a cherished brother to Nia, Joy, and Carwyn. To us, and to so many of his friends, he was known affectionately as Iwie, Iwes, or Spewy – names that always bring a smile when we say them.
Iwan truly lived life to the fullest. If there was ever an invite, his answer was always “yes!” – he never wanted to miss a chance to be with people. He had time for everyone, and everyone adored being in his company. His kindness, caring nature, and brilliant sense of humour made him someone very special.
He was surrounded by a large and loving extended family, and we all shared so many happy memories together – holidays, family gatherings, charity events, and plenty of laughter. He always had a smile on his face and never complained, no matter what.
Iwan was incredibly fit and active, dedicating around ten hours a week to training for his greatest passion – canoe polo. He played for the Rhondda Rhinos, where he built lifelong friendships and found a second family. He was not only a dedicated teammate but also a fantastic role model to younger players, coaching, umpiring, and inspiring them. One young player even insisted on buying all the same gear, simply because Iwan had it! That’s the kind of impression he left on people.
Outside of sport, Iwan worked as a support worker in Rhondda, where his confidence flourished. He loved his job and poured his heart into it, especially when supporting the children – always getting down to their level, taking them outdoors, and making them laugh. His kindness and compassion shone through every day. He adored his colleagues, who became his Miskin “family.”
Our world changed forever with the sudden loss of Iwan due to SADS (Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome). As a family, it was the first time we had ever heard of it. Learning that around 12 young people in the UK die each week from this condition is devastating. We now want to help raise awareness and encourage more people to have their hearts screened. The hardest thing to comprehend is that Iwan showed no signs at all – he was so fit and healthy, even running a half marathon just last year. That’s why it’s called a “silent killer” – it can happen when resting or even sleeping.
The pain of losing Iwan is beyond words – it’s a reflection of how deeply we love him and how much light he brought into all our lives. We will forever be proud of him, and we will continue to honour his memory by raising awareness so that other families might be spared this heartbreak.
Forever loved, forever missed.
Iwie – our kind, funny, beautiful boy.