Glyn Rees James

On 16th May, 2022, Glyn passed away suddenly but peacefully at his home in Brockhall Village, aged 62 years. The much loved and loving husband of Virginia, loving dad of Will and Oli, much loved son of the late Olive, loved son in law of Peter and the late Ethel, loving brother in law of Caroline and the late Paul, a close friend to Margaret and many others, also a brother.

Glyn absolutely adored his work. His passion for effluent and water quality was unrivalled and his knowledge and ability saw him achieve the award for second best salesman in Europe during his years at Hach Lang. Loving his work so much, Glyn was known to take home Effluent Monitors – much to Virginia’s and the boys horror, but that was Glyn. He had an innate need to share the things he loved – and work was major. He had previously worked for Phox where he had been promoted to sales manager. Following Hach Lang, Glyn moved to Xylem where his excellence, passion and precision for his work was again, respected and recognised. Once seen, never forgotten, Glyn was abundantly funny, straight to the point and simply the best.  He could turn something ordinary into something extraordinary. He loved collecting antiques and trinkets and spent many a happy hour scouring car boots and second hand shops. He loved his holidays but hated the sun and he adored his dog, Ruby. Glyn and Ruby were a familiar sight at Brockhall walking in their Hi Viz jackets. He loved his home and his family and was inspirational in his love and devotion to Virginia, Will and Oli. Together, he and Virginia gave their boys a wonderful childhood. Glyn will be missed by so many but he leaves the most amazing legacy of laughter and the realisation that life is less about the material things and more about the people we share our lives with. Rest in peace Glyn.

 

Family flowers only please, donations are being gratefully received in memory of Glyn on behalf of The East Lancashire Hospice. Please click on the blue donate button at the bottom of this page.

 

Please feel free to leave a message for Glyn’s online memorial book by completing the form below.

Messages for the family of Glyn Rees James

Len

Genuinely shocked, known Glyn since we used to share bath water and that 2nd hand at times. Lost touch before the lads were born but can imagine he and Victoria have given them a good grounding and hopefully a mixture of their humour, o’er! Condolences to Virginia and the boys. RIP Glyn

Neil Jarman

When I was 17 I left school (Norton Road Letchworth ) and got a job as a Electro Assembler at Phox Systems in Baldock Herts and the first person I worked with was Glyn. He took me under his wing and taught me everything about water treatment. After 3 months, the company moved to Shefford in Bedfordshire and we still worked together up until he moved into the area of sales.I will never forget our journeys to work from Letchworth to Shefford, me on my 50cc moped and Glyn on his 185cc Suzuki motor bike ! and his light brown leather jacket and flare trousers lol I had many a great nights out with Glyn around Letchworth and saw some great live bands too ,one of his favourites was UB40 who we saw twice in London ! He was just a great normal fun type of person who loved life and always helped other people. My thoughts are with his Wife , family and friends

Gill and Darren Harris

We were so shocked and sorry to hear of Glyn’s passing. Love and deepest sympathy to you all at this very sad time. Thinking of you xx

 

David Kirkham

The words in the obituary speak to my experience of Glynn. A great guy with a wealth of knowledge, rivalled only by his passion. He was quick to offer words of advice and support. It’s a shame that I didn’t get too many years working with him… it’s even more of a shame that he didn’t get to enjoy his well deserved retirement. My thoughts are with the family.

 

Welsh Water North East

Every one of us was gutted to hear about the passing of Glyn. His knowledge has been invaluable and his dedication to helping priceless. He knew his stuff inside out and we’ll miss that massively. Because if Glyn didn’t know something, then it wasn’t worth knowing. Can’t thank him enough for all the help he’s given us. Rest well Glyn. Our thoughts are with his family, that he always fondly talked about.

 

Brendan and Sharon Carr

Well Glyn we had the pleasure of knowing you and we will truly miss you. Your smiling face will be missed by us and you will be in our thoughts very often…. and we will smile everytime we think and talk about you… you were a hell of a guy.. sending condolences to the family. Xx

 

David Dunachie –  Former Hach team mate for 10 years

Such sad news Glyn was an early guiding light in my sales career at HACH I shared many a bus journey with him shooting the breeze talking about customers and sales. Glyn was one of the most honest guys I know Trusted and reliable, hugs to you all from my family and Scotland.

 

Naima

Dear Mrs James, Will and Oli, please accept my sincere condolences. I have not had the honour to work with Glyn as joined the Hach in 2019 but from the feedback I am getting from colleagues, Glyn is very highly considered and appreciated by All for the person he was and his professionalism.

 

Colin Heath

I only had the pleasure of knowing Glyn for a short while and was shocked and saddened by his passing. My condolences to all the family.

 

John Moroney

I am very sad and shocked to hear this news. My deepest sympathies to you all at this difficult time. I worked with Glyn at Hach for 10 years. He was truly fantastic. So customer focused but yet always had the ability to inject humour into every situation. He made me laugh every day and look at life in a much better way. I know he loved you all because he never stopped talking about you. It was an absolute pleasure to know Glyn. I will miss him but when I think of him it will make me smile. All my love.

 

Adrian Hughes

I was so sorry to hear the sad news of Glyn’s passing. When I began working for Hach, Glyn acted as my mentor and was always generous with his time and advice. We both shared a passion for cooking, and Glyn introduced me to the dubious delights of a Satan’s Ashes curry! I’m thankful to have known Glyn, and will always have warm memories of him.

 

Sita Dhadra

I will miss you so much! I still cannot believe you are gone. Rest in peace! Deepest sympathy to the family. xx

 

Darren Hanson

I had the pleasure of bringing Glyn into the Xylem family. Glyn was much loved, well respected and will be sorely missed RIP.

 

Stu Dalrymple

I am so sorry for your loss. I worked with Glyn for a few years and he was always ready to help – and always had a funny story to tell. He will be sadly missed.

 

Matt Canavan

I knew Glyn for many years working in the water industry and he was quite simply the best at what he did. The support he gave to his customers was unrivalled and nothing was ever too much trouble! He always had time to chat and would often tell me stories about his life. He was always talking about his family lovingly and would often tell me what the boys were up to. Glyn will be sorely missed and I offer my condolences to the family.

 

Shakil Patel

I had the pleasure of working with Glyn at Hach Lange. Glyn was always helpful, and was extremely knowledgeable when it came to water analysis. Sometimes he came into the office wearing a hard hat and a high vis jacket (safety first) and put a smile on everybody’s face. Always happy to give advice and help out in whatever way he could – A fantastic individual.

 

Nick Martin

So sorry to hear about the loss of Glyn, he was a shining light and always had a good story to tell when I met him at work meetings that always brought a smile to my face. Deepest sympathy.

 

Valerie Wootton

I am still in shock. He was a lovely man who went too soon. My deepest sympathy to the family for your loss.

 

Ian Thompson

I was honoured to work with Glyn at Phox back in the 990s and again at Xylem more recently. It was my pleasure to recruit him at Xylem, he was a much loved colleague and friend. I still have the 1980s Man United tie he gave me after he told me about the buy and sell work he did. He would have been proud of the way Spurs finished the season, that’s for sure. My condolences to you all and my thoughts are with you at this difficult time.

 

Avril Jenkinson

Was lucky enough to work with Glynn at hach. True Gentleman! Always so lovely and kind to all.

 

Tristan Mann

Such sad news to hear this. My thoughts and condolences are with all the family. Glyn was a true inspiration and mentor for me when I first joined Hach in 2009. A wealth of knowledge, cracking sense of humor, and always had the time and patience for anyone. Taken unfairly too soon and will be dearly missed.

 

Christine & Keith Bond

Glyn, what a great guy, and such a good neighbour to us We will miss him so much. Love and our heartfelt condolences to Virginia and his boys, not forgetting Ruby!!

 

Neil Siddons

I only Knew Glyn for a short time but I found him one of life’s real gentlemen and will miss his positive nature and humor.

 

John Watson

I had the great pleasure of working with Glyn, great Man taken too soon, forever in my thoughts.

 

Thomas McAllister

Sad to hear of Glyn’s passing. As a client of Glyn’s at both Hach and Xylem over the years, I knew him to be honest and trustworthy while being extremely knowledgeable and helpful. He was always a pleasure to deal with. My condolences to Glyn’s family at this difficult time.

 

Jayne Simmons

I always remember as an 8 year old little girl, whenever my mum said that Glyn was going to come and babysit me and my sister, I couldn’t wait to see him. He was always fun and laughing. I loved his dimples and his cheeky face. He would take me and Julie to fly kites on the rec. I always loved seeing Glyn. I’ll never forget his smiling face and his dimples. He was always positive. I can totally imagine and believe all of the messages from his colleagues, that he was always helpful and willing to share his knowledge. Glyn was the salt of the earth. A great guy. A loving husband and the best dad and also my favourite cousin xxxx