Cledwyn Owen 8/16/49 – 1/15/21 On the morning of Friday, January 15, 2021, Cledwyn took his final peaceful breath, at home, wrapped in Cindi's arms, with Chelsea and Ken at his side. Although he could not speak or respond with his body, he continued to find the strength to purse his lips to kiss Cindi up until his final moment. Cledwyn was born on August 16, 1949, in New Castle upon Tyne, UK to Robert C. and Miriam (Phillips) Owen. The family left New Castle, returning to Wales in the village of Tintern, finally settling Luton, southwest of London. In 1959, Cledwyn and his family immigrated to the United States, finding their new home in Green Bay, WI. Cled graduated from Green Bay East High in 1968. Shortly after graduation, he returned to Wales, living with his grandma and grandpa Phillips. He worked for a company making teletype machines. During his return, Cled lost his front tooth in a crash, racing his Mini around the narrow roads of Wales! He returned to Green Bay, WI and went to work for Trowelon, Inc. as an industrial flooring installer. Over the years he was promoted, working his way to president of the company. In 1995, he left Trowelon and founded his own company, Protective Floorings & Linings, Inc. In 2004, he sold the company, and happily retired at the age of 55. In 1981, Cled met Cindi Kust when she asked him for a ride on his Harley, it was then their adventures began. Cindi bought a Honda 500, and Cled always told her, she could ride with him, but she had to stay behind him, "Honda's do not belong next to Harleys!" One time, at an intersection, Cled told Cindi, "When the light turns green punch it!" She did and ended up doing a wheelie through the intersection. When they got home, Cled told her, "Don't ever do that again." She should have stopped listening to him then, but she didn't. They married on February 18, 1982. In April of 1983, he became a proud father to Chelsea. Shortly after her birth, someone said to him, "I just know what kind of father you will be, don't burn the curtains Chels, unless you want to". And that is how he raised her, "You can't do or have something, unless you really want to." Chelsea and Cled came home from shopping one sunny summer day when she was two, she was proudly holding a huge umbrella, and Cindi asked "why?" Cled replied, "'cause she wanted the umbrella!" Cindi expressed an interest in vintage racing; Cled told her so long as the car was British, he could make it happen. She preferred a Mustang but…for 15 years, he kept her 1963 Triumph TR4 race car running. They raced in St Louis, MO, Blackhawk Farms Raceway in Illinois, Beloit, WI, Mid-Ohio Raceway and Road America in Elkhart Lake, WI. Never one to give up, if something broke he found a will and a way to fix it. Best crew chief ever! Together, they also enjoyed snowmobiling if he jumped "that hill" you had to do it too. In October of 2008, Chelsea married Ken McKay. Cled could not have been happier with her choice. Ken asked Cled for a snowmobiling weekend with the intention of asking permission to marry Chelsea. Heading home Ken finally asked. Cled said yes with two requests, "my father will marry you both and you will name your first born Cledwyn." Ken kept one of those promises. Ken and Cled were the best of friends and troublemakers on occasion. In 2009, Cled decided it was time to leave the cold behind and winter in Florida. They purchased a place in Naples, FL and so began a great friendship with Mike and Vonda Gilliame. Thanks for all the good times! In June of 2010, Cled became a "Pepa" to Owyn, and three years later another grandchild was on the way, and that was the end of Florida, he could not bear to be away from his grandchildren. Shortly after selling the Florida home, Henryk was born and Pepa beamed! Little did he know he had given up warm walks on the beach to spending his weekends on a bench as a spectator in a cold hockey rink! Those boys meant the world to him. He showed them many things they will never forget. In 2008, Cled was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (PD). He shed a few tears and then began the fight of his life. Together with Cindi and Chelsea, he signed up for every 5K race he could find. He was determined to finish first in his age bracket and has many medals to prove his determination. One race for Big Brothers Big Sisters, he found out the kids in the organization would throw water balloons at the runners. He was having NONE of that as it would mess up his time. He went to the registration table, gave them $50, and they gave him a sticker, No Water Balloons. Cledwyn lived his life with a song in his heart. He loved music, especially his guitars. He would be proud to show off his Tom Petty limited edition Rickenbacker or his Paul McCartney Beatle bass, to name just a few. He could play anything without sheet music, he just had to hear the song. He loved his drums, trumpet and piano as well. As the PD progressed and took away the use of his hands, he was left with his harmonicas, all you had to do was ask him to play. As the disease progressed, he had to sell his Harley, give up driving and eventually his running. We then found Rock Steady Boxing, what a wonderful group of people and coaches. They became family. As usual, Cled had to do every task with all his might, at times being told to slow down. Thank you, Kari Merrill, and the rest of the staff who lifted our spirits and to everyone in the group who made us feel welcome and supported. While Cled built his life in the U.S., where he was able to work hard, own his own business and build his dream home for his family, he never gave up his British citizenship. Ever remaining a loyal subject of his Queen. A proud man, a good man, a protective man to those he loved. A better husband, father, Pepa and friend, one who will never to be found again or replaced. Cledwyn is survived by his wife Cindi, daughter Chelsea (Ken) McKay, his grandsons Owyn and Henryk Mckay. He is further survived by his brother Gerald (Pam) Owen, sister Christine (Carson) VanLuven. Sisters-in-law Kathy (Greg) Kruzel, Amy (John) Schwarzenbart and Michelle (Dave) Yeager. His beloved God children Riley Cledwyn Schwarzenbart and Alyssa DeLong along with many nieces and nephews He was preceded in death by his parents and his in-laws Donald and Nancy Kust and his aunts and uncles. Ken, no words can express how lucky Cled was to have had you by his side in his final days. He loved you like a father and watching you care for him was like watching the love of a son caring for his father. He passed knowing Chelsea and I would be watched over by you, he also knew the secrets of your escapades would go with you too! A special thank you to our family and friends, who helped us through the rough times with never ending love and support: Andy Blieck for never missing a happy hour and entertainment with Cled at Parkside, Mike and Sandi Prokash, Jim and Lynette Manders, Anne Harry, Ross Gilbert and Skip Pauze, all of whom will be friends to the end. Thank you to his brother-in-law, John, a constant friend over the years, always there for him. He loved his doctor appointments so the two of you could have chocolate shakes! And thank you to Aunt DeeDee and Uncle Dennis for your love and support over the years. God bless all of you. To the staff at Allouez Parkside Village #1, thank you for your love and support of Cled and Cindi especially Janelle, Heather, Nancy, Jamie, Debbie, and Heidi To Heartland Hospice, thank you to Chaplain John, Kayla, Abby, Amy and Tess, Most important…thank you for getting Cled back home! A celebration of Cled's life will be held at Ryan Funeral home, 305 N. 10th Street, De Pere, WI, on Saturday, January 23rd. There will be a viewing from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. with the funeral beginning at 3:30 in a traditional Welsh fashion! gorffwys mewn heddwch fy nghariad Rest in Peace My Love