CAMPION, Lionel

Never did I think this day would come my best mate.
Words will never be enough to capture the love I have for you or the depth of the loss I feel now that you’re gone. You were more than a pop to me; you stepped in to be my dad when my own father stepped out. You showed me what true strength, compassion, and integrity look like.

As a pioneer deer farmer, you taught me the value of hard work, respect for the land, and the quiet wisdom that comes from caring for animals. But even more than that, you taught me how to be a good person, how to stand tall in the face of hardship, how to keep my word, and how to love without conditions.

I will carry your lessons in my heart for the rest of my days. I will miss you more than I can ever say. Thank you for everything you were and everything you gave. I love you, Pop.
Kait

Dear dad
I miss you more than words can ever say. You taught me everything I know and made me the person I am today. I can’t comprehend my life without you in it and will miss your happy face every day. Love you to bits dad and will think about you every day.
Love you forever and always
Rhonda xxxxx

Thinking of the loss Lionel will be to his wife and family. I have known
my brother in law since the age of 12. He was one of the best and will be missed terribly. My sad thoughts go to my sister Ngaire and all of the family. Rest in peace Lionel you will never be forgotten. with love June

It was always an adventure visiting either as a young boy at St Arnaud or in later years at Yarragon , I will hold many wonderful memories with alot of humour , taught me many valueable lessons . his laugh, smile stories will definately be missed . Fantastic Uncle. .

Hey uncle Lionel, it’s been a minute. It’s been many many years, probably 45-50 odd years since you left the lake(lake rotoiti) and nz. This was the last time I saw u in person.
I will always remember the hard work you put into the deer farm and the many times I visited as a kid with mum dad matt and mary. You always made us feel welcomed in your country style way. I somehow don’t think you ever changed.
Dad (your brother) would tell matt and i, stories of your
deer stalking and you guys building the house in Springston. Real blokes doing real kiwi stuff.
You were the last Campion standing of your era, but you have created other generations that will carry on the Campion clan.

God bless those who were around you when you passed to meet your maker, knowing that some day we will all meet again

God bless and forever keep us.

James Campion
Son of Lionels brother John.

Have a safe travel old mate it’s been a pleasure privilege to have known you thank you !

To my old mate, you taught me things that very few knew, you took in myself and my family like we were your own. Not only did you mentor us but you could see our potential when we had doubts. I looked forward to our catch up‘s and could sit and listen to your stories for ever. You are a legend, so kind with a wicked cheekiness. Talented, master craftsman, absolute gentleman, widely respected, top of your game, passionately skilled hunter, loving and nurturing are just a few words that come to mind.
We thank you and your family for everything you’ve done for us and the opportunity to continue your amazing work in breeding deer.
Simon, Helena and Bella.

We send all our love to you all, we have the best memories of family holidays together and how much fun and yummy food and ginger bear at your home. May God comfort you all at this time and know that one day we will be reunited with our loved ones again xox

Lionel Campion you have crossed over the rainbow bridge mate. A man to ride the river with. Gone but not forgotten. Will be sadly missed by all that knew him.
Markie Shaw.

Dearest Lionel,
What an amazing life and legacy you leave.
Love of family, devotion and passion, love of work and enterprise, mateship, kindness, laughter, adventure, mischief and a benevolent heart.
We were so privileged to know you and your beautiful family and will miss our deer chats, your kindness and the friendship we shared.
Always in our hearts.
Much love to Ngaire, Rhonda, Linda, Kait & Alan xo
Steve & Jenni Howard

We would have loved another cup of tea.
A very special man.

Love,

The Wills family xxx

Dear Pop/Great Pop
There are no words that will ever be enough,
There is no time that will ever be enough,
You will be very much missed from our lives and our lives will never be the same.

You ment so much to Al and you where always there for him he will be forever greatful for all you did to guide and support him through life.

Lizzie feeks so lucky to have met you and will hold the memories close.

We are so glad you got to meet our little one Harper your Great granddaughter that is something we will treasure forever.

We will remember you how you would want to be remembered which is on your quad attending to your deer’s or in the shed tinkering away.

You loved watching Harper grow for the first six months you got to witness of her life you couldn’t believe how she had grown or the new things she was up to.

Thank you for all you did you will be remembered and Harper will be told of the great stories of your life and you will live on through us.

May you now be at peace all our love Alan,Lizzie and Harper

I have good memories of family holidays up at lake rotoiti helping on the farm was a good uncle and when lionel and my mother Elizabeth Parrett and aunty florence rolston you sister got together there were some funny times and jokes you may be gone but the memories will live on
From mark Parrett and family in nz

To My Wonderful dad, there are so many memories that I have of ourselves but I want to thank you and mum for making me the strong person that I am today. Today is my 50th anniversary of the start of my sickness life and you have travelled with me all the wayl . I want to thank you for giving me away at our wedding, 1 great man handed to another great man!! You will be terribly missed but we will love you forever.
Love from your daughter and son-in-law Ginge and Phil xxx

To Ngaire. It maybe goodbye but Lionel, my brother-in-law, you will never be forgotten. Space prevents much that I could say. Lionel was in earlier life a shy but determined person. He built many buildings in Canterbury & was amongst the original starters of the deer industry in NZ & Australia . Aussie life for you & your family deprived time for our families together, but it was obviously for the better as time has proved. We’ll miss you Lionel. Rest in peace our friend. Bye for now.

I first met Lionel over 20 years ago when I bought the deer farm he and his son built many years before in Tanjil South. He was always a font of knowledge and an incredible mentor to me as I started and continued my steep learning curve of farming deer. I always enjoyed having coffee with he and Ngaire in there kitchen hearing his stories and advice. I will miss Lionel terribly.

Our thoughts are with the family at this sad time. Lionel we could see what a joy you were to your family even although we only just met not long ago . You had such a twinkle In Your eyes when you were talking about things of the past and just newly with the birth of your granddaughter. I know your memory will live on in your families lives. Rest in peace you were much loved.

Our deepest sympathies to the family, thinking of you at this sad and difficult time. Lionel was a great man, passionate about deer farming and full of knowledge. A real pioneer who will be greatly missed.

Uncle Lionel

I always loved visiting your farm near lake rotoiti every time we passed through. You had some fantastic stories about life as a pioneer in the deer industry. I managed to catch up with you once in Victoria many years ago and searched online for your contact a few times since moving to Melbourne. Sadly the opportunity to catch up has now passed by. You were a mountain of a man and I am sure will be sadly missed by many.

A true pioneer in all aspects of the deer industry

Milton Stevens (South Australia)

Farewell Lionel., My sympathy to Linda and all the family. A lovely smiley cheeky caring deer farmer and entrepreneur of the deer industry, in the early days. I did enjoy working with Lionel and Linda on the reproductive AI/ET rounds. Best wishes