Lyle Edward Champness

Dear Kylie and family, This such sad news and so tough for you all. Lyle was such a lovely man who welcomed and made people comfortable. Ron & I were privileged to be included in your family recently when Graham passed away. Your garden will never be forgotten. He has a fond place in my heart. Hugs to you you are in our thoughts

We have so many memories of our shared time together that will live with our whānau forever. Through the ECOS wonder years...toddlers in the vege garden with baby carrot greens dangling from their mouths, freshly pressed apple juice and elaborate homemade mint sauce...rainy days playing in jackets and jandals (?!?)...the exploration, education, adventure and magic of ECOS van trips, near or far but always action-packed with excitement...the frights of the infamous ‘Four Year Old Sleepover’, the live albatross webcam that served equally well to monitor cargo and cruise ships...the grace and care you took to convey the realities of the short life cycle of a baby bird to little eyes, minds and hearts...profile book stories, so eloquent and beautifully written that truly had ‘your’ voice...the geranium cutting you gifted us that blooms in large red flowers on our porch now. Post ECOS shared kai with friends...your generosity to share and include others in the abundance of bread, brews, bounty of homegrown veges, fruit and flowers, and sometimes some homekill for the BBQ too...your own annual birthday pizza party...Tahu’s regular invites to the rugby, and always, always thinking of us and sharing yourself. We have been truly blessed to have known you, e hoa, and you’ll be missed by us all. Arohanui, Ana, Hamish, Nikau & Tahunuiārangi

“I look back and wish I had given more hugs to people... I thought I was giving plenty but maybe you can never give enough.” Lyle and Kylie welcomed me warmly at their wedding 12 years ago and made me feel at home. Over the years that same warmth was there in the messages that we exchanged. Lyle could make people feel welcome, remembered, and cared for. Lyle's nstinct was love. My heart is with Kylie, Jess, Murphey ,Janet, Pierre, Charles and Naomi.

To Lyles Family My Deepest Sympathy my apologise for not being able to have said this in person. Lyle and I were childhood friends from early days at Barrytown Primary School We grew up living in Punakaiki and spent many years doing all things boys do of that age. From learning to surf, fishing hunting or climbing through the bush looking for undiscovered caves we always had something to keep ourselves amused. Lyle and I Had a venture skinning possums for pocket money, we would set our traps after school and check them the next morning before school, we would hang our possums under Janet and Grahams house to let them cool while we were at school. After School, we would skin them and peg them out on boards to dry. When we achieved a total of 50 skins we would box them up and send them away to Auction and split the dollars when we got paid. We would go out at night and try to catch possums by hand grabbing them by their tale and swing them around trying to knock them out…. One night we were in hot pursuit of a rather large possum, it ducked under a bush. I came sneaking around one side as Lyle came around the other, the possum bolted and went straight up the tallest thing it could find, needless to say that was not my leg….. It bolted straight up Lyle’s leg, and up under his Swan Dry. I can still see it now and what happened next, I can only articulate was a terrified human performing the entire NZ Haka word and action in under 5 seconds flat… while I stood by in hysterical fits of laughter. Lyle and I spent a lot of time at the Punakiaki local rubbish dump, rummaging around fixing old bikes to ride home or putting on old women’s dresses, making fun wherever we could. You can imagine Lyle dubbing me around in our fancy dresses and it getting caught in the chain. Lyle was A kind Gentle Giant who cared about people nature and the environment. We often would go and count the Westland Black Petrels, as they would fly in for nesting for the department of conservation records, Lyle knew a lot of the flora and fauna species around New Zealand and never missed an opportunity to enlighten my knowledge too. I will leave you with one more lasting memory I hope may get a laugh. One school afternoon I attended Lyles’s house to pick him up for whatever we had planned for that afternoon. Lyle was just helping himself to an after-school snack which if my memory serves me right may have not been on the menu because Janet caught him red handed and was letting him know in no uncertain terms. I think we were around 12 or 13 years old. Lyle and Janet exchanged words and Lyle thought it wise to talk back. What happened next scared the shit out of me, because Lyle’s frustration at not being allowed to eat said item, (possibly a Scone or a Sausage roll) became physical when he threw it at Janet hitting her in the back. Now Lyle in his younger day was not renowned for his athleticism but believe me I had never seen him move so quick. With that amount of enthusiasm or prowess as I did in the seconds after that incident. Janet Turned and headed his way. I swear he never touched a step running down the stairs. I recall him being to scared to go home that afternoon he stayed down the beach as long as he could. Sadly, We lost touch over the years, I never had the privilege to have met his wife or children my thoughts and prays are with you and all the family. Lyle rest easy, I hope to see you one the other side my great friend.

Dear Kylie, Our hearts go out to you and Murphy at this very sad time. Life deals unexpected blows but never in your wildest dreams could you have envisaged this one. Watching the beautiful memorial service Lyle meant so much to so many people. He was always in tune with everyone and everything around him. Every moment had his undivided attention. Truly a giant tōtara, much loved, much respected and undoubtedly forever remembered. He will be sorely missed by many but especially by you and Murphy. Life will not be the same without him in your physical lives. It will only be different as you continue to live the legacy he’s left behind. Our love is with you as you follow the pathways of your hearts and Lyle’s. Stay in touch. You are welcome any time in the far north. Aroha Nui. Marg and Warren.

Kylie, Wrapping you and Murphy in so much love, strength and peace as you move through this tragedy. We are always here. Your Doterra girls ❤️

I can not believe your passing, Lyle. My deep condolences to all of family members. Sending love from the other side of the world. We will miss you very much.

Such a gentle giant <3, I'm so sorry to hear of the passing of this amazing man. We met at Teachers college, both as adult students, I loved that he knew his authentic self and never tried to be anything other than that. His passion, genuine caring nature, his measured and reasoned responses and his great big laugh! I loved when we would bang into each other well after our Teachers college days - and our conversation would still flow - just like it had all those years ago. He will be greatly missed - and I was really a casual acquaintance - my heart breaks for his loved ones Kylie, Murphy and Jess.

Janet, Charles, Pierre, Jess, Kylie and Murphy, I am so very sorry for your loss. Lyle was my School Bus buddy, my High School Ball date, a very good Dunedin Tour Guide and always a very welcome Wellington guest. We lived through the High School era, holding each other up when we needed to. He was my best "Boy" Friend and I loved him very much. Lyle, I am sorry that your heart was hurting my friend, I hope you have found the peace you desire. Moe mai ra e hoa. You will never be forgotten, you will always be in my heart, forever your friend Justine x

Kua hinga te tōtara o Te Waonui a Tāne’ (a tōtara in the great forest of Tāne has fallen). Lyle served on the EC-MENz committee for a number of years and worked at Early Childhood on Stafford for a number of years. This is where I was privileged to have met and have known Lyle, will always remember your interest in children and that you were an amazing man, RIP Lyle. Our heart felt condolences go out to Lyle’s whānau and friends.

Dearest Kylie, Jess, Murphy and family My heart absolutely breaks for you, you've lost an amazingly incredible person (the mighty totara has definitely fallen), while I've known you for longer, we were privileged to have meet Lyle through ECOS where he shaped the minds of our two children - I can always remember the excitement of dissecting a possum for Sophie and how Cameron would follow Lyle around when working in the ECOS garden. Lyle's encouragement didn't end with the children - there was the ribbing to do some slackline (which I did in high heels). The friendship never finished once the children left daycare, being invited out to your place for pizza parties and seeing the changes you've done to your property together showed the love you both have for nature and each other. My you know the love he had for you and the girls, treasure these memories and keep them alive by talking about him and the passion and love he had. This morning as the rain fell, I couldn't help but think the angels are cry for this amazing man who shared his passion and love with so many. Kylie, thank you for sharing and allowing us a small piece of him. Sending you much aroha. Watts family

Dearest Kylie, Murphy and everyone who loved Lyle. There aren’t any words I can share to ease your pain or lighten the burden you carry at the loss of a true gent, a kind and thoughtful soul. I just hope that even in your darkest times you are able to feel the love of those who care for you and whose lives were also enriched by knowing Lyle. I know you shared joy, challenge, hardship, success and disappointment together. That is a real life, and though Lyle is gone, nobody can take away what you shared and created together. Mao ana ki ua, ua ana ki mao. I am devastated that I’ll not have another chance to see Lyle charging around Kath’s overgrown property with his chainsaw. What do I do if she expects me to do that?! Aroha atu aroha mai. Ken and Jonathan xoxo