Cleighten James Cornelius “Corn”
Passed away after a short but courageous battle with cancer on 11 April 2026 aged 49 years.
Adored partner and best-friend of Krystal. Favourite son of James and Leonie, tolerated brother and brother in law of Wade and Shaz, loved father of Maisie, Harriet and Charlotte, primo step-dad to Nat. Amazing uncle to Archie, Stella and Molly. Mate of George the doodle and Charlie.
Incredible friend to many.
Messages to the Cornelius family c/- PO Box 9, Blenheim or www.cloudybayfunerals.co.nz
A private cremation has taken place with a celebration of Corn’s life to be held on Friday 17th April 2026 at the Function Centre, State Highway 1, Riverlands, Blenheim at 2pm.
Dress Code - “What would Corn do?”
The service will be recorded and can be viewed on the Cloudy Bay Funeral Services Website
on Friday evening.
“Given to Fly”.
CLOUDY BAY FUNERAL SERVICES BLENHEIM F.D.A.N.Z.
Service Details
The Function Centre
State Highway 1
Riverlands
Blenheim
Friday 17 April 2026
2.00pm
From - Tracey Blissett
So incredibly sad to hear this, what a courageous fight you had.
Thinking of you all with love x
From - Stu ‘Zim’ Miller
Corn,
Gone to soon mate! RIP mate… will forever remember the great yarns we had about Zimbabwe Cricket hay days.
Thanks for such a brilliant human to my folks when they were based down in Tarras Central Otago.
They loved your sense of humour. You will be remembered mate.
Cheers Stu Miller
From - Michelle Burns (nee Clayton)
I was so saddened to hear of Claytons passing. He always had a ready smile on that handsome face of his!
Many early years spent at the Blenheim Gymnastics Club.
Much love to the whanau at this heartbreaking time x
From - Roger Queree
Our thoughts are with you all, we had some great laughs altho years were far too short
Queree family Christchurch
From - Megan “Steelo” Campbell, nee Fraser
So very sad to hear the news of Corn’s passing. He was a one in a million, all round good guy.
Thanks for all the fun times mate, it really feels like a privilege to have all those memories.
Megs xxx
From - Ray and Gail MacDonald
We would like to send our deepest condolences to all of Corn's family and friends on his passing.
We have such fond memories of Corn as a cricket-mad schoolboy, spending countless hours playing backyard
cricket with Leon and all his friends at Cricklewood Lane - loyal friendships that
were formed and have only grown stronger over the years.
He leaves behind a truely positive legacy and will be greatly missed not only by his family and friends
but the wider community as a whole. We are extremely saddened that we are not able to attend the service on Friday, but please know that we are thinking of you all and sending our love.
Ray and Gail MacDonald xx
From - Ruth Simonsen
So sad to see of Cleighten's death. He was such a happy young guy at the gym club.
Thinking of you at this sad time
Ruth Simonsen
From - Hamish Wilson and Bridget Miller
Really sad to say goodbye to one of the best - Corn you will be missed.
Our deepest condolences to the Cornelius whanau.
Sorry we are out of the country and can’t make the service in person. We will be thinking of you all.
Bridget, Hamish, Charlie and Rosa
From - Matt Moriarty
Sad news hearing of Corns passing and recent health battles.
I always enjoyed catching up with Corn through our mutual friends when my folks were based in Blenheim, in my school and uni years. Loved his positive attitude and sense of humour, he was such a genuine, easy guy to connect with.
Arohanui to Corns whanau and friends - Mori.
From - Jack Glover
Sending much Aroha to the Cornelius family over this tough time. Corn was such a special human and we are hugely privileged to have had the chance to share a laugh, a vino or a cheeky adventure with him along the journey.
Love Jack, Georgie, Gus, Millie, Ivy and Elle Glover.
From - Gary and Sue Vercoe
Deepest sympathies to all the Cornelius family from Sue, Gary, Richard, Martyn and families.
Sorry we didn't get to catch up with you at Riverlands today. The size of the gathering is true testament to Cleighton's popularity and the high regard in which he was held.
In our thoughts Sue and Gary
From - Aaron Redmond
At a loss for words at the news that one of the greatest men is no longer with us. Corn, you were a talented sportsman who made cricket look easy. Selfless, a great friend to all, and always there when it mattered. My love goes out to Wado and his family. The boys will raise a glass to you - keep them cold, Corn. I owe you a few rounds mate.
From - Michael Dwyer
I was very sorry to hear that Cleighten has passed away.
Cleighten was an extraordinary, multi-talented sportsperson - an outstanding cricketer
and rugby player - and a truly great person.
My heart felt condolences to Cleighten’s family and friends.
