'Bish' gets send off in sea of red and black

The family of Andrew Bishop stand at the closing of his funeral service. Photo / Sarah Ivey

One of the victims of the CTV building collapse was farewelled amid a sea of red and black yesterday, and mourners took home a poignant goodbye poem written by his 6-year-old son.

Cameraman Andrew "Bish" Bishop, 33, died when the building collapsed after the February 22 quake.

Speaking before the funeral, his mother, Karen Bishop, said it was an "awful situation".

"But Andrew is not the sort of person who would want us to dwell on it," she said. "He died doing what he was passionate about. How many people can say that? That's what we're clinging to at the moment."

Mr Bishop's son, Tyler, wrote a poem for his father, which was printed in the service sheet.

"Dad is a small word. Put in a sentence about you it becomes the biggest word in the world," he wrote.

"The sun may come and go but my love for you is true, it will be in my heart each time I think of you ... I love you dad and will forever, till our spirits meet again."

Tyler wore a red T-shirt with a photo of him and his dad together emblazoned on the front.

Mr Bishop was carried into the service at the Woolston Club in a coffin painted red and black - the colours of Canterbury rugby teams, whom he filmed for many years.

His mother and his partner, Amber Lucas, designed the coffin, and it was painted by Mrs Bishop's partner.

"It gave us something to do," said Mrs Bishop.

A bunch of red and black helium balloons were tied to the coffin and mourners wore a ribbon in the same colours to pay tribute to the "sports mad" man.

The service was standing room only, the crowd made up of hundreds of family, friends and colleagues, including many from Canterbury Television.

"He's made a mark on so many people, I'm gobsmacked," his mother said. "He was the kind of guy who would help anybody."

Mr Bishop's father, Lindsay, in a eulogy read by a friend, described his son as a creative, fun-loving, adventurous and humorous man who loved the outdoors.

"He was a clever bugger. Andy touched many hearts. He was a beautiful baby, a real cute boy, a proud teenager and a handsome young man. He was our son, a son we're immensely proud of and will hold close in our memories and our hearts forever."

Sister Anita said she looked up to her big brother. "We're severely going to miss his humour ... He was an amazing person, taken way too soon."

Ms Lucas paid tribute to her partner, who was "larger than life" and a great mate to her two sons, Cameron and Ethan.

"I thought we had our lifetime ahead of us. I'm heartbroken, I've lost my best friend ... and dreams and adventures that will never come true."

CTV colleague Peter Brown said Mr Bishop epitomised the station. He started working there as a volunteer in 1993 and was soon offered a post.

He quickly became well known in the industry for his wicked sense of humour and his dedication to the job.

"Bish was a delightful character," Mr Brown said.

"He was one of those people you come across in life and you are glad to know, one of those people who brought out the best in you."