When I first met Nigel over 15 years ago, he was very much as people will remember him now, only a few less pounds and shorter hair! He was charismatic and charming, so of course I fell for it all.

We both had children from previous relationships so a perfect readymade family was made Steph, Tyler and Sam. Not always harmonious but always a caring close family. I know that Nigel would be proud of them all, Steph now married to James, Tyler growing into a young man, and Sam joining the Armed forces. Unfortunately he will not get to see how their stories finish.

Our first introduction to dogs as a family was India, a German Shepherd, and not long after a rescue Doberman called Jasper. It was four years later that the Leo’s came into our lives, and it was a breed that we knew very little about, but they made a big impact on his life. It took six months to find our first called Pluto. At the time I did not want another dog, but as normal he won, thank god he did. He played golf a lot at weekends and became quite good at it, as he did with every aspect of his life, but he wanted me to have a hobby as well. The showing began badly. He always tried in everything he did to be the best: whether it was family, business or dogs. Golf sometimes started to be missed just so he could come with me. Even then people could not help but like him and the friendships started. The shows carried on and the number of dogs increased, and through the years we both met and made amazing friends, who impacted on his life, I know. He was very proud to be in the breed and the world of dogs.

He loved the European scene, again meeting more people from every corner of the world. He always strived to learn more and some people even called him the Oracle (they know who they are).

With him, family always came first and he always pushed us to be the best we could. Tyler happy at home, playing with the dogs. I am sure Nigel was grooming Sam I think to be a ‘mini- me’ just like him. Steph who at first said “who pays money to have someone else tell you want they think of your dogs” now for two years has showed Nero very successfully, making her Dad very proud.
He always tried to include everyone in his life, not leaving anyone behind to make his mark, and I know he certainly did that with many people inside and outside of the show scene. He was a true gentleman in every way, treating people how he wanted to be treated, and it shows with the variety of people he could call his friends.

The last day could not have been happier. The first show for a few months where I could go with him, winning the ticket with “Pink” and being with his friends, I am sure was more than anyone could have asked for.

A hole has been left in all our hearts, and I know that the future for me will never be the same without him. He would want us to continue his legacy in every aspect of life, family, business and dogs. I stop writing here as all the great things he had achieved in his life would probably fill this paper. I just want to take a second to thank everyone for loving him as much as we do.

I will always love you, and you will always be my “BEST IN SHOW” every single day.

The funeral will be held on the 22nd September at 2.15 at West Berkshire Crematorium, Thatcham. Donations please to Turner Brothers (Funeral Directors) 15 Hampton Road, Newbury, Berkshire, RG14 6DB. The donations will be split between a few smaller charities. Flowers - family and close friends only please. We hope you will all join us for a celebration of his life.

Anita Holliday

We first met Nigel and Anita six years ago at Crufts. Both of them had just purchased their first Leonberger and they attended the shows to learn more about the breed. Needless to say both got addicted and then imported two dogs from Russia. It was these dogs that really put Lionslord on the map across the UK and Europe.

Nigel started to take these dogs abroad to shows and they were very well campaigned across Europe. No matter where Nigel and Anita went, they were automatically liked by everyone who came across them. At the shows after the breed had finished judging Nigel always offered great hospitality to his friends and he was always there to support the Leonberger BOB in the Working Group. An up-and-coming-judge, Nigel has had the honour of judging Leonbergers all across the UK and more recently more dogs in the Working & Pastoral group. He was a keen Leonberger man and dedicated to the betterment of our breed.

I was honoured to have been asked by Nigel & Anita to handle their dogs for them on several occasions. We have had many good times at Lionslord along with many laughs and bizarre experiences along the way, all in will remain between those who were a part of it. I am so sad to be writing a tribute to him today as he was taken away from us too soon. People were instantly taken in by Nigel for his gentleness, honesty and good showmanship, and it is sad that we will not have this again from Nigel.

My mum recently awarded Nigel Best in Show at the Leonberger Specialty in Ireland in August with Pink, and that was the last time he was seen by my Mum Dad and his friends in Ireland. Hard to believe that on the day of his death, Nigel was having his usual laughs, banters and Leo talks to all his friends, and he later collected his 2nd CC with his young girl, Lionslord Byzantia, to everyone’s delight! All of us were so happy to celebrate his good day after the judging had finished, but sadly it never happened. The Leonberger world has lost a great, wonderful, dedicated, enthusiastic and much loved friend in Nigel Holliday. His larger than life character will always remain in our hearts and minds and we will never forget this wonderful man and all that he did for the Leonberger community. We will miss him so much. My heartfelt thoughts and prayers go to Nigel’s wife Anita, Daughter Stephanie, Sons Tyler & Sam and Son in Law James at this terrible time.

Joan, Dave and Kerry Rushby

What can I write about Nigel? He was strong willed, could be awkward to the point of extreme stubbornness - All the components’ of a Yorkshire man, who lived away from his county of birth. He was in every way a man’s man and who stood out in a crowd, but to me he was just the best, him Anita and all the family took me into their hearts and I took them into mine.To me he was kind, over-generous, loving and supportive and the best friend anyone could ever wish to have. As always, at the time you don’t realise just how much you cared for someone, but now I do and regretfully can’t tell him, but in my heart I hope I made it clear to him.

Nigel I will always miss you and will never forget you. Thank you for a wonderful friendship and I will miss you and your weird sense of humour, which leads me to one of my most treasured memories, Kenya (Lionslord Always and Forever) was 15 weeks old and as always at Lionslord something was being altered or rebuilt, this time it was the patio which was being raised by five foot, Ray and Carol plus other friends were here and there was a barbeque at this time. My Rottweiler pup was 12 weeks old when down the drive came Kenya at full pelt (well, for a Leo) and she managed to stop before she fell over the end. Suddenly Nigel shouted out “look out here comes the little black shit” who was unable to make the stop at the end and carried on over the drop, she came straight back round very pleased with herself and promptly took off again. Since that day she has always been known as the LBS and at this moment she is 5 days off having loads of LBS’s of her own. She adored Nigel and for a Leo man he adored her and encouraged me to keep a 3rd generation Panelma puppy, which I obviously will now do.

So from all of us, we love you and will always miss you forever.

Maggi Bryant

Nigel touched our lives from the moment we first saw him, his personality, hospitality and generosity was as big as he was. He re-invigorated our love of the Leo's with his vision, knowledge and passion. He was Kirsty's 'Oracle' and my 'Mentor'. His sense of humour was wicked and would have us in stitches with his 'one liners'.

He opened our world to the show scene in Europe and again his generosity gave us opportunities we could only have dreamed of, he always believed in us. Through him he introduced us to people who will be lifelong friends from here in the UK and Europe. He would always tell you how it was, whether you liked it or not and would always question you on your reasons why!! He had a fantastic way of being very level headed, never making rash decisions or choices.

One of the funniest guys we have ever met, the tears of laughter, holidays, road trips abroad are now priceless memories that we will treasure forever. We will never forget his words "I make a better friend than an enemy", and for us we have lost a very dear friend, confidente and mentor, and his passing has left a massive void in our lives no one will ever fill.

The Leo world has lost a massive, colourful character, and we know he has touched many peoples lives in some way, he was a good, honest, caring person that's been stolen from us all to soon. He will always be in our hearts and in our minds and his legacy will live out through the choices of Leo's he brought into the UK which produced some lovely Champions and hopefully many more, our heart goes out to Anita, Steph Tyler and Sam, we will be there for you always.

Paul Hayden & Kirsty Dunn

It is with great sadness that I sit here writing about a man who was a one off in many respects. To me he was a true friend and someone who would always be there for you if needed.
Nigel was a straight talking Northern Man who told it just as he saw it and didn’t pull punches, generous to a fault but did not suffer fools gladly. He only started showing Leonbergers about seven years ago with his wife Anita and in that short space of time enjoyed great success both in the UK & Europe making up champions here and abroad.

His approach to life was very simple but also very competitive. He owned his own car components company in Andover selling both in the UK and overseas, he started this in his garden shed and the kitchen worktops some 13 years ago and built it into the multi million pound company that it is today. He brought his business acumen into his dog showing in that he strived to be one of the best. I think if he had wanted to he could have “sold sand to the Arabs “as they say because he had that will to win and did not know the meaning of the word “can’t”. I remember one time in a meeting with the directors of another company when he gave them advise on how to maximise their potential but said in such a way that it got them thinking and agreeing with him and there can’t be many that could have done that and got away with it.

Nige lived life to the full and was quite unmistakable in a crowd standing out for very many reasons, not least his somewhat flamboyant appearance. On a personal note he has left an emptiness that will be impossible to fill. I know the stories will be talked about round the rings for a long time to come. He left us in a way that was typical of him having just taken the BCC with his young Leonberger, Pink, and it would not surprise me if he was already getting things organised ‘up there’! He will be missed by all of us who were fortunate enough to be classed as friends. My heartfelt condolences go to Anita, Tyler, Sam, Steph and James.

Richard Kinsey

How do you sum up a person like Nigel in a few words? Generous, friendly, larger than life, hospitable. But most of all he was Nige! We will miss the lovely times we have spent with him at dog shows and at his & Anita’s home, seeing him coming out of the grooming room, looking like a yeti and moaning that the dogs are blowing their coats again. The world of dogs and our lives have been touched and will not be the same again. Our hearts go out to Anita, Steph, James, Tyler and Sam. Love to you all x

Carol & Ray Bolt

It was with shock and great sadness that I heard of the death of Nigel. A big, happy man and a true lover of the Leonberger.

The breed owes him and his lovely wife Anita a great debt for the importation of some great new blood lines. Nigel had a true ’eye’ for a dog and managed from the outset to pick a ’good ’un’. Some people, however long they are in a breed can never achieve this skill but Nigel seemed to have been born with it. Nigel was always a gentleman, win or lose. A great friend who would help anybody if it was in his power to do so. A real ambassador for Britain while showing abroad with top quality dogs and great sense of humour.

It was fitting that his last hours were in the ring showing his new young, home bred bitch to her 2nd C.C. He was delighted, as Nigel never took winning for granted and loved his dogs regardless. We will miss him at the side of and in the ring, and of course in the bar after judging. Sociable, kind and funny. A great ‘bloke’. To his wife, Anita, daughter Steph and his sons we send deepest sympathy. He will never be forgotten.

Celia Peters

Judy and I have been associated with Nigel and Anita for many years through the Leonberger Club show scene. Nigel was a super guy, larger than life character and a great sportsman. Whether his dogs were placed or not at shows he was always gracious in defeat and as a winner. A small group of us always enjoyed the after show "crack" at the bar. Nigel's participation will be greatly missed.

Nigel recently agreed to referee the weight lift I performed on behalf of the Southern Newfoundland Club welfare and agreed to referee the second effort I am scheduled to carry out in December. He was interested and keen in this fund raising effort to the point we discussed a joint weight lift for next year..... Well, we missed out on that one!!

Nigel was keen to have a go at anything to do with Sports. This is a side of Nigel that probably very few people knew about. Nigel was a very special and unique character, a one off. We will miss him!

Judy & Peter Oriani

Heart felt condolences to the family and friends of Nigel, who sadly passed away on Saturday 4th September. It was a very sad end to a lovely day at the City of Birmingham Championship Show. The atmosphere around the Leo ring that day was warm and friendly and everyone seemed to be having a good time, not least Nigel who took the bitch ticket with his home bred girl Lionslord Byzantia (Pink), this was her second CC. To say that everyone was shocked and upset by the news of Nigel’s death would be an understatement.

Nigel and Anita were prominent figures in the show scene here in the UK and also in Europe, they are members of the LCGB and generously supported not only the club’s Open and Championship Shows but also many of the Fun Days put on by the LCGB. Nigel was a larger than life figure and lived life to the full. He was taken much too soon and will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

Leonberger Club of Great Britain

Anita, Stephanie, Tyler and Sam: Seven years ago you came into our lives, we entrusted one our first puppies with you and we could not have asked for more, Pluto has done so well and our friendship has grown. Thank you. No words can ease the pain for the loss of Nigel, he will be greatly missed, from his colourful ties to his ever friendly and happy smiles.But the things that Nigel leaves behind are the memories, the friendships and he will always be in our hearts. Never forget we will always be there for you.

Lots of Love Julia, Les, Mark, Tara, Sam, Tamara and all the rest from Kumamatata Leos

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