Former Wollongong lord mayor, lawyer and restaurant owner George Harrison lost his long battle with cancer on Wednesday morning.
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Son Andrew Harrison said his father passed away at 8am.
"He fought hard right up until the end," he said.
Mr Harrison was the Lord Mayor of Wollongong from March 1999 to September 2002.
He was a lawyer in the city for many years and with his wife Vania Harrison founded the family owned Lagoon Seafood Restaurant in the 1980s which his son Andrew still manages and his daughter Jonni also worked at for some time.
Andrew Harrison said his father had kidney cancer that spread to other parts of his body but was determined to keep going in recent years despite doctors not being able to give him any good prognosis.
"The family and I are very grateful for all the well wishes," he said.
"Over the last few months and even years while he has been sick I have blown away with how many people have contacted me to wish him well. He really made an impact with people in this town which I am extremely proud."
Federal Member for Cunningham Sharon Bird said it was a very sad day for the Harrison family.
"I offer my deepest sympathies to Vania, Jonni and Andrew and their families at this time," she said.
NSW Member for Wollongong Paul Scully said he was also thinking of the family at this time.
Wollongong City lord mayor councillor Gordon Bradbery also extended his sympathy to Vania and the family.
"Many will remember George Harrison as he served as the city's Labor mayor during some very colourful times between 1999 and 2002," Cr Bradbery said.
"He was a man of deep faith in the Christian Orthodox tradition, and I remember him often speaking of his joy and pride in his children, Andrew and Jonni, and of his grandchildren."
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Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
