Kind, compassionate, fun, sports-mad - these were just some of the epithets used to describe Ongaonga principal Mike Lewis, who was farewelled at a service in Waipawa yesterday.
Mr Lewis died suddenly on Tuesday last week, aged 53, and at least 700 people packed in to the CHB Municipal Theatre to remember him and his contribution to the Central Hawke's Bay community.
Teaching at Ongaonga School since 1999, Mr Lewis made an indelible mark on students, staff and families over that time.
School representatives, former and current students spoke of his passion for teaching, and how he encouraged and supported pupils to reach their potential.
Tributes from current students included their acknowledgments of his always having time for them, his sense of fun, and how he was more to them than just a principal.