Reverend Donald James (Reverend Donald J Phillipps) Phillipps

Donald You were a truly wonderfully kind and compassionate man. Your traits of kindness, intelligence and humour were inherited by your son. What a life you have led, a life well lived you deserve all the recognition and respect that you gathered. Im so pleased that the photo I took of you and Martin was included in your tribute. It is my favourite photo. You are now reunited with your best friend . Bless your kind heart Donald. You were one of a kind .

It was lovely to be able to participate in the live service today from our home in Napier, to see familiar faces and hear some stories about Donald that had fallen to the back of the mind, but popped back up. Lovely to see the family photos and hear from other follk whose lives were touched by Donald over many years. It was a shame not to be with you in person, but lovely to be with you via a computer screen. Well done everyone on creating a memorable send off for Donald. I am very glad he was able to visit us in Napier last year and to share stories and meals together. Love from Jennie and Ifor

A wonderful tribute to Reverend Don. David and I knew him from University Cricket Club in the 70s. A gorgeous, true gentleman, who took an interest in everyone he met. Condolences to the family, he would have been a wonderful dad, grandad and great grandad. RIP.

Tēnei te mihi aroha, te mihi poroporoaki ki a koe e te minita o te Hāhi Weteriana, Reverend Donald Phillips. E te rangatira, e te Matua, kua eke koe ki tō taumata, kua oti tō haerenga i te ao mahi, ā, e huri nei mātou ki te tuku mihi me te poroporoaki ki a koe. He tangata ngākau pono koe ki te mahi minita, he pou tokomanawa mō te hāhi, he reo whakapono mō te iwi. Nāu i kawe te kupu a te Atua ki ngā tāngata katoa, ahakoa te reo, te whenua, te ahurea. Ko tō wairua whakaiti, tō māramatanga hōhonu, me tō aroha ki te tangata, ngā taonga nui i kitea nuitia e te hāpori. Kua whakakākahutia koe e te wairua tapu i roto i ngā tau maha o tō mahi minita – he mahi nā te ngakau, nā te whakapono, nā te karakia. E kore e warewaretia tō haerenga i waenga i a mātou. Kua whakatō koe i ngā kākano o te rangimārie me te tumanako, ā, ka tipu tonu aua kākano hei painga mō ngā uri whakatipu. Nō reira, haere e hoa, haere e te minita, haere rā i runga i te rangimārie a te Karaiti. Kia whītiki koe e te aroha o te Atua, kia u tō hā i ngā rā e heke mai nei. Mā te Atua koe e manaaki, e tiaki, e ārahi i ngā rā o tō noho tau. Haere rā, haere rā, haere rā.

Don has been so helpful communicating with my father and me over the history of our family. His amazing work detailing all the Methodist ministers and preachers in New Zealand is such a labour of love and a wonderful legacy. Thank you Don. Sending deepest sympathy to you all.

Great uncle, rest easy. Love, Troy

Dear Sara and Rachel and family, your father was a very special person. He had a wonderful warm personality. He was a great conversationalist, he was so intelligent and had a huge fund of knowledge which he wore very lightly. He had a very strong faith and lived up its principles in every way. He will be so greatly missed not only by those closest to him but also by all the others whose life he touched, My thoughts are with you at this very sad time, With love, Judith Trevelyan

We admired Donald's calmness, kindness, intellect, warmth. He loved his cricket and many more things in a good life. Arohanui

Rachel and family we are so very sad to hear about Donald passing, Philip still talking about him which they very close Donald, Philip and Robert, he travel all the way to Masterton to visit us by himself, Philip is still okay and we will bring Philip to say good bye to your beautiful Donald.

We acknowledge Donald as a friend and colleague. For Glenda the link came many years ago when she came to Dunedin and made associations with the Methodist Church and so she has valued memories of both Donald and Barbara. For Norman the link with Donald came through ministry and this was became more significant when he came to Dunedin and as District Superintendent worked closely with Donald as a colleague and friend. the weekly lunch gatherings built the friendship. Over the 25 years since then he has kept contact with Donald and had phone calls during these last months of his life. He came to value Donald's Methodist historic knowledge and skills in writing personal stories. Thanks Donald

My mum Mary Thompson was Uncle Donald’s first cousin. I so loved catching up with Donald whenever I was in Dunedin visiting my daughter and her wife. I loved listening to him recount his childhood days spending time with my mum and her sisters. His memory of those times was astounding. He lived a fabulous full life. I remember him telling me that he went out for coffee every day to keep his driving sharp. A truly wonderful rellie who will be sorely missed Rest In Peace my lovely uncle xx

Dear Don My message today - please read Sellar for Sellara.