Federal MP for Hunter Joel Fitzgibbon has remembered his father as the man who mentored his political career and a champion of the NSW Hunter region.
Mr Fitzgibbon died on Sunday at the age of 78 after spending the past few months in a dementia ward.
He was a MP between 1984 and 1996 before his son Joel, the shadow agriculture minister, succeeded him.
While never rising to a ministry, Mr Fitzgibbon spent 12 years on a range of parliamentary committees.
Mr Fitzgibbon, a former teacher and Cessnock City Council mayor, has been remembered for his love of the Labor party.
Joel said his father was a popular MP because he was hard working and a true champion for his region.
"He had a happy but financially modest upbringing so he had great empathy for people on low incomes," Joel said.
"To me he was both a great father and political mentor and I will always be grateful for his support and guidance."
Mr Fitzgibbon grew up in Nambucca Heads and taught English and history at Cessnock High School for almost two decades.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said Mr Fitzgibbon made a generous and lasting contribution to the nation.
"Eric was a life member of our party and will be missed by many," Mr Shorten said in a statement.
"Our thoughts are with Joel and the Fitzgibbon family."
Mr Fitzgibbon is survived by his wife Anne and children Mark, Joel, Alison and Therese and his grandchildren.
Share
