Thirroul and Austinmer residents fondly remember Peter Brennan riding his bike around the leafy northern suburbs.

But it was only after his death from leukaemia in March that many of his friends realised Brennan was also an accomplished classical pianist.

To honour the life of her lover and friend of 21 years, Suzanne Vernon has organised for Helen Barker to play some of the music Brennan kept at her house, including works by Bach, Haydn, Schubert, Chopin, Grieg, Debussy and Satie.

The Brennan family, along with Ms Vernon, will join in celebrating his life at a special concert in Austinmer on Sunday, May 31.

"Helen is well equipped to bring Pete's music to life," Ms Vernon said.

"She is a piano teacher with degrees in music from East Anglia and Leeds universities, and has taught in primary schools in London, Kuwait, Dubai, Melbourne and the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music."

Ms Vernon said the world was full of adventure and Brennan knew how to find it on his bike.

Australian native Brennan spent his summers in Balfour Road, Thirroul, with Vernon but in recent years the US citizen lived and worked in Ohio.

In his spare time he cycled all over the world.

"Peter bought his first bike in Paris in 1973, rode to London, and then took off to make a 15,000 kilometre trip to Singapore through Europe, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and Thailand," Vernon said.

"Since then he rode many more thousands of kilometres cycling in USA, Canada and South America, including one trip from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego.

"He would ride about 80 kilometres each day, carrying all his cooking and camping equipment on the bike, and make a new camp each night."

Brennan became ill about 1000 kilometres into his last ride to Mexico from Ohio in 2013 and was diagnosed with leukaemia. The 71-year-old died in Ohio on March 16, 2015.

The concert, at Austinmer Village Chapel on May 31, starts at 2pm and will celebrate Brennan's "wonderful life". Those who attend can also make donations to the Leukaemia Foundation.

"It is a chance for his families [Brennan and Vernon] and Australian friends to honour an unusual but great man," Ms Vernon said.

"His professional achievements include working as an electrical engineer in Europe, America, Mexico and Port Kembla.

"But he will be remembered for his love of family, skill as a pianist, amazing achievement as a bike rider and special qualities as a loving friend."

Donations: leukaemia.org.au