FUNERAL arrangements have been announced for Elfan Ap Rees, the founder and life president of The Helicopter Museum, following news of his death last week.
The service will take place at Weston-super-Mare Crematorium at 1.30 pm on Thursday, August 20.
A wake will be held afterwards at The Helicopter Museum.
The family has requested that no flowers be sent.
Instead, those wishing to pay tribute to Mr Ap Rees are invited to make a donation in his memory to either The Helicopter Museum (Registered Charity No. 281053) or Leukaemia UK (Registered Charity No. 1154856).
Mr Ap Rees dedicated much of his life to preserving helicopter aviation history and is widely credited with creating what is now regarded as the world's largest collection of helicopters and autogyros.
In a tribute, the museum said: "For more than seventy years, helicopters were not simply Elfan's passion, they were his life's work.
"From a fascination that began in his youth, he went on to found The Helicopter Museum, creating what is today the world's largest dedicated collection of helicopters and autogyros.
"Through his vision, determination, and perseverance, countless historic aircraft were rescued and preserved for future generations."
His work helped establish the Weston-super-Mare museum as a major centre for rotary aviation heritage, attracting enthusiasts and visitors from across the UK and beyond.
The museum said Mr Ap Rees's legacy will live on through the collection he built and the generations who continue to enjoy and learn from the aircraft he helped save.
Share