The 90-year-old passed away last Friday.

"It was very hard to go anywhere, like down the street or other locations, without dad bumping into somebody that he knew," son Peter said.

"He made a point of learning peoples' names and he remembered them.

"He made the effort of finding out about them.

"I know my wife has friends that dad met and he will be a great loss to them as well, he took the time to talk to them.

"He loved all of his family and will be a great loss to not only his family, but a great loss for the community.

"He was a true gentleman."

Wighton celebrated his milestone birthday on November 16.

"He kept a list of all the family, his children and their partners, the grandchildren and their partners, the great grandchildren and the list is up to about 70," Peter said.

"The only ones that couldn't make it to his party was a couple that had just had a baby."

IN OTHER NEWS:

Wighton's wife Kathleen predeceased him. He is survived by eight children, 28 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

His funeral will be held at Albury's St Patrick's Catholic Church at 1pm on Wednesday.

Representatives from St Pat's, dressed in their green dress shirts, will also form a guard of honour after the service.

Players from St Pat's and Belvoir formed a guard of honour on Saturday.