The Edward River community was left in shock when Mr Brennan died of a heart attack on Monday night, according to friend of 45 years and ex-fellow councillor Pat Fogarty.

"Norm had not been in great health for quite some time, but this was certainly mostly unexpected," she said.

Ms Fogarty said the community was in disbelief, after Mr Brennan had recently announced his retirement at the end of his term as Edward River mayor last year.

"[There's] a real sense of unfairness," she said.

"Just when Norm and Linda were looking forward to spending time together without the responsibilities of council and being able to share that time.

"It just seems so unfair.

"He will be an enormous loss to this community, because he's been so loved by so many people and his loss will be profound."

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Ms Fogarty said her strongest memories of Mr Brennan were of his wise leadership during the amalgamation of Deniliquin and Conargo councils in 2016.

"It was such a contentious issue of Deniliquin and Conargo coming together and views were polarised," she said.

"And Norm just did an excellent job of steering the ship and sailing the course of what became a fantastic council.

"It's been held up across the state as one of the huge success stories of amalgamation, where lots are still in disarray." Ms Fogarty said Mr Brennan was a very likable man.

"He was certainly a man that had very strong values, and he held those values dear," she said.

"He was a good friend to his close friends.

"He was a wonderful father to his kids and he absolutely idolised his granddaughter."

Ms Fogarty said Mr Brennan family - his wife Linda and three children Simon, Adam and Marnie - were coping with the surprise death as best they could.

She said a date and time had not yet been set for a funeral service for Mr Brennan, but any plans would most likely be shared in the coming days.

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