Ian TURTILL Obituary

Fond memories Turtlestein. RIP

8 years and he still is as strong as ever in our hearts and always will be...hope your behaving Turtz. we love you. xxx

Dearest Turtz, forever in our memories, we miss you, M & G xx

Thinking of you today as everyday. Introduced Frankie to your favourite city this year.
Xx

Missing you Pops. Frankie always includes you when we talk family. Ruben has your and Andrew's belly laugh. Hope you are watching them grow. You would be proud and amused in equal measure.

Still remember all the golden memories .
Whitey .

I did not know you well Turtz but I have very fond memories of a very kind and funny man. You are missed. Very missed by so many.

Dearest Turtz - missed but never forgotten. xx

Dearest Turtz - we miss you! xx

can't work out this site.sorry Turtz you old trout it got me confused or your up to no good..well if this gets through it will be an amazing third try.
Ok looks good this time.think next year I will put up a less serious image of our boy with a bit of teeth actionI have many of the little trickster.xxx

I'm very tempted to post a snap of your hilarious teeth that you were to make strangers do double takes in particular when you sat across the aisle from us on a Thai Airways flight dribbling as the poor hostess's try to keep a straight face as they serve you your pre dinner drink..might do that next yearits time!..missing you my buddy..Garry W xxx

Still wondering why you had to go!
I can only think it was because you made so many people see the funny side of life..
yours was too short my mate...love you. gaz

Two years have gone by Turtzy! Miss you as much as ever and think of you often.

If I thought the years when you were around were a bit crazy...what you left me with was even crazier! But you knew that didnt you bud. Typical...create chaos and leave.

Wish you were still around to share with us all.

Shooter (Magooter)

You've gone but you're certainly not forgotten Turty. Think'n of ya. Tarquin Finbin.

where are you Turtz......we miss you like nothing else...wherever you are we love you....... still don't understand why you are not here

We love you dear boy .....Gaz+Kezza..

Yep he is right, lots of things we want to tell you...but...we can't...love you Turtz.xx

I keep finding objects or quotes or amusing articles that I think "I must send to Turtz...he would like that!"
Its a comforting feeling knowing your still there and thats the way it will stay!!

Turtz, how bout a fly by one day, ya tree is still going well, say hi to JD if ya see him, guess its pretty crowded up there. Miss u , take care , Man Zhou !

Hi Turtlestien, I hope you're keeping them on their toes up there.
Forever in our thoughts.

Tarquin Finbin............

Hey Turtz, made it into your rental house in Queenstown last week. Great bunch of guys helped me test the old Kowa anamorphics before our shoot. Photos of you everywhere around. Brought a big smile on my face and reassurance that there are still people out there trying hard to live up to the standards you once set. Not easily done, of course;)
take care
Frank

Theres been a big move back to film, have you been chewing the big guys ear off? good on ya old bean. Your our man up there and it's working don't stop...

Pops, I know you are watching little Ruben and Frankie from whichever wonderful vista you are currently perched on. They are wonderful little coffee shop terrorists, and we try to find as many grumpy flat white drinkers to annoy as possible and it always makes me smile a little when I get a roll of the eyes. They hear about you everyday. We drank a margarita today and wished you back here. It's still devastating to believe you won't ever be. Missing you more as time goes by. Love you, Jana xxx

My best buddy in his prime disputing the large grip called moose that the level is not level!!...that was him as a perfectionist
We miss you dear Turtz
There is no replacement...never will be!
Love you forever.....xxx

Happy Birthday old tool.......This photo of Ian was during his last trip to Venezia...I think it captures his lovely presence!
Hope your keeping God company with some tricks....especially keeping him in focus which you would find challenging..
We love you Ian......Garry +Kerry Wapshott.x

Waiting impatiently for a large void to fill with fond memories. Ian, thank you for being a wonderful friend and a gentleman. Lynne (Mrs Shooter)

Turtz

It is not comfortable nor easy to accept and acknowledge the passing of Turtz.
Deeply held feelings for a friend and colleague are difficult to let go.

For a man with strength, dignity and guardianship that earned him the greatest of respect.
A character that deeply made us chuckle and laugh.
An infectious, loveable, polarising and playful personality that we will never ever forget.

So lets fill our hearts with a laughing peace,
And know that somewhere Turtz is near.

Dear Turtz,

My favourite A.C, the sharpest, funniest person I ever met & was lucky enough to prep a camera kit for. Cheers for the whisky and some funny memories.

Farewell Turtz

I did 3 features and a lot of TVC's with you as my Guv and they were some of the best times of my life.

You were such good company, a real person, a complete professional and a natural teacher.

Wished I'd known about the Seymour ID, what a waste of wind up material, course you would have come back at me with "Campbell" so I'd probably have lost that war of wits, just like I lost most of the others.

we worked hard together, on some good shoots and some bad shoots, and we had more than a few laughs doing it.

Max.

Turtz

So sad your call time and your wrap time were the same time!

You could have been late just for once in your distinguished career.


The void you have left in me, is now full of memories. Golden.

I have no more words that I never told you to your face.

RIP

Darling Turtz, thank you for the pant-wetting hilarity...trying to out-funny you was exhaustingly good fun, thank you for the kindness you showed me through a yuk time in my life and thank you for the ridiculously crude book of matches from Japan...I will treasure them always. My heart feels the squeeze of your passing xx

I have already said earlier how much I am dismayed and bereft by Turts passing. I always felt he was invincible and he clearly still is in everyone's hearts. Terry Fraser's mention of life's tapestry of course reminded me of my favourite Turtism of all time. Instead of talking about Life's Rich Tapestry, Turts would talk about Life's Rich Underpants. My mother thought this so hilarious when I told her 20 years ago that it is still in our family dialogue. e I can't believe Turts is gone. Would anyone like to help me make a documentary (made for no money) about him that we could put on Youtube. To me he was a symbol of the best of NZ / Australian film crew and there must be endless stories to tell before we forget them.

Dear Turtz, the hilarious feature film director Preston Sturges complained in his latter years, "I find myself surrounded by fools, liars and shaky amateurs". You were one of the very best antidotes there ever was. Thank you for being smart, honest and a fine craftsman.

Turty, Turty, Turty, Turty, Turty.

You set a high bar on so many levels, Turtlestein, and we're all the better for it.
I know my life tapestry is certainly enriched having known you.
I'm sure where you're off to now, you'll soon get them to
" walk this way"..............

Keep them on their toes. dear Turtz.

Tarquin Finbin . . . . . . .

my dearest Ian, even though we have never met, it was always a great pleasure arranging Chloe's and your travels over the many years, I always found in you a loving and caring person! I will surely miss you but not forget you. Rest in peace my dear friend!

Dearest Ian - as said a very witty smart man who we will miss enormously. Rugby games will not be the same without your fantastic commentary but we will always think of you & toast margaritas in your name. Thank you for the great times Ian. You leave a huge hole in our lives. We will treasure the beautiful photos that you took of our family. We will do our absolute best to look after Chloe & Poe. Rest in peace dear friend , Amanda , Moira, Rosa & Greer, George & Quincy

Darling Turtz. What a man. I'll always remember your smile, wit, charm. And god didn't we laugh. It's been an honour to know you. RIP Turtz

Dearest Turtz unbelievably we say goodbye today. You have been such an enormous part of our lives, we had such fun, so many good times. Bless you, rest in peace dear buddy
Sally, Grant, Noah and Sam

Dearest Turtz, our lovely funny stylish friend, we are missing you already, all those fun and happy times will forever be remembered. You taught us all so many things. Your wonderful professionalism, your style, your wit and humour and most of all your friendship. Rest in Peace dear Turtz, we love you. Love also to Paul, Andrew and your co pilot Chloe Maggie and Grazie xx

Hound, will miss your freindship, advice and our coffee mornings.guess by now u fisting by the pool, sorry my words not eloquent like those before.
Man Zou Wor Xiao Pun Yau. Xiao Xing !!!
Steaky, baby Turtz and Chloe be fine, dont worry !

Oh Turtz, so hard to imagine you are gone but you will live on as we have soooo many sayings in our lives that came from you and times together.
You were there at the start of our 'relationship' - 32 years ago (!) … what an hilarious shoot 'Strata' was, but will always be special to us and the Skotels too! Much love Andrew, Paul and your families, and to co-pilot extraordinaire, Chloe.

What a privilege to have known you Turtz with your rapier wit and practical jokes, so generous with your knowledge and experience, the tough days were always better with you on the job.

oh man, whose gonna point out all the art dept gaffs now! will miss the giggles,rest easy.peter marshall

Thank you Turtz, you contributed your love and knowledge from the infancy of our Industry. You were amazing and we will miss you and your humour. My thoughts go to everyone in your short life that you truely touched. My thoughts are with your boys and Chloe especially. RIP Turtz, we thank you.

Our Trans-Tasman industry has lost one of the greats.Great professional,great sense of humour,great guy.Getting harder to find.

Vale Turtz

So long Turtz. You will be remembered as a true pro & a suave cat. You were such a gracious man -you kept an eye out to make sure that we kids were doing the right thing at the right time. You never even had to say a word for us to understand what was required. Thank you & god bless.

Turtz, thank you for the time we spent together, we will always remember the fun we had working on so many projects over the years. You were such a gentleman, generous, a true professional behind the camera and master of your craft. Your wry sense of humour certainly kept us entertained and was right on the button on some of those 'peculiar' moments we have all experienced mid production. We will miss you but be assured your spirit lives on in our lives......thank you again. Ian Gibbons & Wayne Goldsmith

Turtz
It has been a privilege and an honour to have know you. You will be sadly missed.

You were always so kind to a trainee facilities person all those years ago at VidCom. RIP. Love to Chloe and your family. xxx

RIP Mr Turtill. You will be missed. Jane, Thom and the smiley boys.

My beautiful friend! What lovely times we had together, lots of laughter, lots of tears, lots of Campari, lots of champagne, lots of Italy, lots of Bali, lots of Sydney lots of Auckland. Your fart machine (hand made), your teeth, your dirty nappy, your vomit, your dog turd...my goodness the practical jokes kept us endlessly entertained wherever we were! I had the good luck a couple of weeks ago to be able to tell you personally how much I loved you and how much you meant to Gaz and I and those feelings of course will continue wherever you are. My dear, dear friend I hope you are whizzing away to somewhere as wonderful as what we have experienced here together. I am hoping that we will meet again someday and share some lovely food and lovely wine and some good laughs...no doubt you will have your props with you...you will be missed my darling friend.xx

“ Turtz”
Nobody warned me what I could possibly be in for working with Ian on my first major job in New Zealand with Director Geoff Dixon. Ian's reputation preceded him for his Cine Camera skills and especially his ability to be able to never miss a focus mark when needed, but I had no idea I was being exposed as well to a sharp-witted well-loved practical joker with the capacity to bring any Prima Donna DOP from OZ to his or her knees, considering the way he was delivering biting one liners to our Director……. I realised at that point he must be taken in a very special way, as I soon found out.

Fortunately I survived my baptism of fire with Ian and we went on to become dear friends and continued to work together in both OZ and New Zealand for many years and leaving a lot of young Assistants in awe of his professionalism in both countries, he is still fondly spoken about and remains someone for them to aspire to.

A few weeks ago when Kerry and I came over to visit a now frail Ian he was still finding ways of putting those around him at ease with that unique humour …... we managed a few double meanings and a final man hug…..Ian was the first to give me one when I was leaving New Zealand after a tough job.

Thank you for being who you are Turtz….I will love you forever my little buddy

Here's a line to take with you from last Beatles song ever recorded:

"And in the end the love you take is equal to the love you make"

I didn't know you were ill.A shock.You will be missed........That humour,never forgotten........

a great yoyo exponent ,made a dull day faster will miss the humour
ED + MEL Mulholland

One of nature's gentlemen.
He will be missed by all who knew him
Vale Ian,
john Barnett

Turtz
Loved your knowledge, professionalism and irreverence. See you in the big changing bag in the sky!

Thanks for your friendship , your knowledge , your professionalism , your wit , your alliterations , your style , your generosity , and your company .

Dear Ian,

You are awesome... thanks for everything you have done for my career. You prob didn't know but if it wasn't for you I may not have become a camera assistant. It was you who gave me the courage as a 17 yr old rookie to go out there and go hard.
You could've kicked my butt all day but instead you chose to teach me everything you could.

You rock!

How lucky we were to know you for a short while. Go free with that great wardrobe. Harriet and Tink in Paris.xxx

The guy who taught me how many screws there are in an Arri 1,000 ft magazine and why they all needed to be checked after every helicopter trip.

Thanks Turtz for teaching me so much as your clapper loader...

what a joy is was to have you as one of our delightful retail customers. If there were more people like you in the world, we would be a lot better off.
Macleay on Manning , Potts Point, Sydney

Thanks for everything Turts. You were a smart and funny man and had a sharp wit but I also well remember how kind and considerate and thoughtful you were. And I also remember your fart machine that went off whenever anyone looked through the camera. I kept meaning to call these past months and didn't even know you were sick. I suspect you have already requested the old Spike Milligan line on your tombstone "I told you I was ill." I will never forget you. Thanks for being such a great mate .

For a man that seemed to have a hard shell he had such a soft centre, He was exceptionally professional , always hard on himself and so generous. He is a legend has been and will always be. I am so sorry for your family, you were way too young, boy did you have to suffer us learning.. making mistakes.. keeping our secrets and making sure we had our socks pulled up.. but such a good good man. Lots of love Mr Turtle and big hugs. xx

As I operate the camera you were always right beside me offering great advice, and occasionally a wicked humorous comment that would make me smile. We did a lot of jobs together and I appreciated your expertise and company. Rest in peace Turtz. You will be missed.