The Rutty name became synonymous with buses during the family’s 76-year association with the Illawarra transport industry.

Mr Rutty, who was born at Rutty’s Bus Service’s Mount Keira depot, died unexpectedly from a heart attack. He was 76.

The family sold the business to Premier Illawarra 13 years ago.

Growing up surrounded by buses inspired a lifelong passion for Mr Rutty and on retirement  he became a member of the Independent Order of Old Bus Bastards.

Mr Rutty relished the opportunity to discuss the industry every three months with like-minded bus fanatics in Sydney.

At its peak Rutty’s buses had a fleet of 65 vehicles and employed 80 people. Mr Rutty worked his way up through the family business.

By the time he was 12 he was driving buses around the depot, at 14 he was refuelling them and at 15 he left school to become a ‘‘grease rouseabout’’ in the workshop.

At 16 he worked as a conductor on a double-decker bus and as soon as he turned 21 he became a bus driver. He was general manager for five years and later was in charge of all government compliance issues.

Mr Rutty leaves behind a wife Margaret, children Victoria and Wayne and grandson Cody, 8.

His funeral will be held at Wollongong City Memorial Gardens at Unanderra on Saturday at 10am.