Powell’s parents are Lucy – one of John’s four children – and Meirion, from Caerphilly, who left Wales for Australia in 2003.
The family would return to these shores to visit their many relatives, with Powell remembering how “dadcu” – Welsh for grandfather – “didn’t stress about anything”.
“I have many memories with him,” Powell said. “But the memories I have are not of the rugby legend Barry John. He was dadcu to all of us.
“He would throw sweets at us in his flat overlooking Llandaff fields. He would tell stories. He was so calm and relaxed and funny.”
When Powell was tasked with doing a school project on a family member, John was the obvious choice.
As a result she rang him for information on his legendary career in which he played for Llanelli, Cardiff, Wales and the British and Irish Lions.
“He was so animated – he would bring up the matches and I could visualise everything. He was such a great storyteller,” she said.
“You could tell he had so much pride for Wales. But he wouldn’t say ‘I did this, I was so amazing’, he praised everyone.
“He said [Sir] Gareth [Edwards] and JPR [Williams] were great players to play with. He would talk about the joy of playing as opposed to what he did.”