FAMILY man, community man, gentleman.
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Lou Shehade was many things to many people and following his death on Thursday, those who knew him well remembered him as one of the best.
His son David described him as "a wonderful family man" who was heavily involved not only in his children's lives as they grew up, but also those of his grandchildren.
"Whatever we were doing, he was always extremely proud of us."
David said his father was heavily involved in many community groups.
"He was proud to be part of the community, but he was especially proud of his involvement in the Edgell Jog and Chifley Village.
"They were ones closest to his heart."
He was a lovely man, his death is a huge loss.
- Bathurst councillor Graeme Hanger
Tributes for Mr Shehade - who was also known as a talented squash player, former general manager of the Western Advocate and original committee member of the Edgell Jog - poured in as news of his passing became known.
Councillor Graeme Hanger said his death was a great loss to the city. He said Mr Shehade was honoured as one of the city's original Living Legends back in 2015 for his ongoing work in the community, which spanned decades.
"He was a lovely man, his death is a huge loss."
Cr Hanger said he last saw Mr Shehade around March 10 when he and his wife Janese celebrated 58 years of marriage.
And it was Mr Shehade's 90th birthday not long after, on March 31.
"Even at 90 he was sharp as a tack," Cr Hanger said.
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Ray Stapley, who worked alongside Mr Shehade on the Edgell Jog committee, called him a "true gentleman".
"He was a gentle guy but always so positive about Bathurst," Mr Stapley said. "And when he gave his opinion, people always listened to what he had to say."
Former Fairfax and Rural Press central west manager, and former Western Advocate editor Andrew Meenahan agreed the city had lost one of its best.
"There are many things that I will never forget about Lou Shehade - his kindness, his sense of humour, honesty, a deep modesty, a great affinity with his fellow man, an infectious positivity that refreshed anyone in his company - but, above all else, I will forever admire his deep loyalty," Mr Meenahan said.
"Lou set a standard of loyalty that few could hope to reach; of course, he was unflinchingly loyal to his family and friends but he also had a burning loyalty to his beloved Bathurst and to this newspaper, the Western Advocate.
"Lou was for many years a highly regarded manager of the Advocate, so highly regarded that John Parker, then managing director of Rural Press, which at the time was the parent company of the newspaper, tried to lure Lou to North Richmond to run the company's prestigious flagship publication, The Land."
Mr Meenahan said Mr Shehade had confided in him that while he was flattered by the offer, he "could never leave Bathurst, I love this town".
Mr Shehade is survived by his wife Janese, children Lisa and David, and their families.