Tributes paid to education director who died while walking a mountain
Tributes have been paid to an education director who died while walking on a mountain yesterday.
Gareth Pierce, 68, was on a walk along the Aran mountains when he was taken ill.
He was chair of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.
The Coleg’s chief executive Dr Ioan Matthews said: “We are immensely saddened by the news of the sudden death of the chair of the Coleg’s Board, Gareth Pierce.
‘Gentleman’
“On behalf of the Coleg’s staff and Board members I would like to send our deepest condolences to Gareth’s wife, Lynwen, and his two sons, Gwyn and Siôn, in their loss.
“Gareth made a huge contribution to the Coleg, especially over the last 18 months and it was an honour to have known him.
“He was a true gentleman and we will miss his wisdom, guidance and leadership.”
Very sad to hear of the passing of Gareth Pierce.
Gareth was a dedicated public servant who made a massive contribution to Welsh education at all levels.
Our thoughts are with his family.https://t.co/kC0MuYyH9z
— Jeremy Miles (@wgmin_education) July 4, 2021
Gareth Pierce was the Welsh Joint Education Committee’s chief executive until his retirement in 2018.
He had previously worked as a senior manager at Trinity College, Carmarthen and as an administrator with the Open University and head of the mathematics department at Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni.
A keen mountaineer, he had been a member of Clwb Mynydda Cymru since it was established in 1979. Until recently he had been chairman of the director of the British Mountaineering Council (BMC).
Originally from Dolgellau he lived in Llangyndeyrn, Carmarthenshire.
Really saddened to hear of the sudden death of Gareth Pierce. One of the nicest and brightest people I have ever met. Lucky to have had him supervise my Masters Dissertation. Newyddion trist am Gymro i'r carn. A great loss to Education and Mountaineering in Wales. pic.twitter.com/MxmfpW4lB8
— Edward Jones (He, Him, Ef) (@PencoedCompHead) July 4, 2021
Rydyn ni wedi'n hysgwyd gan y newydd am farwolaeth sydyn Gareth Pierce. Fe gawson ni'r fraint o gydweithio sawl tro ar faterion addysg Gymraeg. Dyn egwyddorol a charedig oedd yn cyfrannu cymaint mewn ffordd hollol ddi-ffws. Bydd Cymru'n dlotach heb ei egni. pic.twitter.com/6qoJg0X4oC
— Cymdeithas yr Iaith (@Cymdeithas) July 4, 2021
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