Bruce Duck, who was in charge of one of NSW's most successful licensed clubs for almost 50 years, has died.
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Mr Duck, who was 75, lost his wife Kath earlier this year.
Son Jeff, who replaced him in charge of the Commercial Club, confirmed his passing.
"Family was everything to him and our family is going to miss him immensely," he said.
"We're also missing mum immensely at this time.
"The only good thing I suppose is they are back together again."
Originally from Junee, Mr Duck landed his first job at the town's Ex-Services Club in 1963 before successfully applying for the assistant secretary-manager role at the Commercial Club in 1972.
Graham Harper was the first club president he worked for followed by Tom Gordon, Alan Foster, Reg Morley, Barry Hart, Ted Langdon, Barry Edmunds and Graeme Edgar.
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Mr Edgar, the current president, worked alongside Mr Duck for five years.
"He was one of the most honest, loyal blokes you'd meet and I've lost a mate," he said.
"He has left a big legacy in Albury behind.
"He was a proud family man and that came first and business second.
"He was also a tough bugger, but also one of the most generous blokes I've met as well.
"He leaves a big hole."
The Commercial Club is one of Albury's biggest employers with 300-plus staff, 28,000 members, 620 poker machine and first-class dining and function facilities.
It also rescued the city's golf club from an uncertain future in 2002.
The Commercial Club was crowned the NSW Licensed Club of the Year in 1988, helped by becoming the first club in regional NSW to break-through the $1 million profit barrier.
Its best trading years was 2015 with a profit of $4.4 million with the club still managing to turn a $474,615 profit despite a 10-week shutdown due to COVID last year.
It took on the introduction of poker machines in Victoria with an increased focus on entertainment, functions and hospitality.
Outside of work and family one of Mr Duck's passions was horse racing with the Commercial Club's long-standing sponsorship of the Albury Gold Cup race meeting and its elevation to listed status.
Mr and Mrs Duck are survived by their children Jeff and Jackie and families.
His funeral will be held on Friday.
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