Vincentia newsagency owner David Bennett died last week, aged 68.  

More than 500 friends and relatives attended his funeral service at Shoalhaven Crematorium.

The eulogy by his sons, Lloyd and John, began with a light-hearted nod to Mr Bennett's hard-working character.

"Please don't tell him the shop closed early today, or he'll be glaring down at us," Lloyd said.

His sons spoke of his devotion to his shop, his home town and his family.

"Dad loved Vincentia and Jervis Bay," Lloyd said.

"On a trip to Korea, he was telling an unfortunate English lady sitting next to him on the bus that Vincentia is a top tourism destination.

"We overheard him saying there have been no shark attacks in the area because there are too many fish.

"I'm not sure how true that is, but we can't let facts get in the way of a good story."

Mr Bennett endured more than his fair share of tragedy.

His father died when he was a teenager, his sister died young, and his beloved wife died when his sons were only young.

All three were killed in car accidents.

"He remained positive until the end," John said.

"A few months before he died we overhead dad at the shop, he described his cancer situation as, 'just a few spots.'"

Lifelong friend Lloyd Ryneheart echoed this sentiment.

"He never complained, or said, 'woe is me,' he had his way of getting on with life," Mr Ryneheart said.

Mr Bennett was passionate about sport, playing AFL, rugby league, golf and squash, and sailing anything that would float.

He was a respected member of the Jervis Bay Cruising Yacht Club, winning many titles in his his time.

Born in Brisbane, his family moved to Bega in his childhood, then to the Riverina.

In 1976 Mr Bennett moved to Bomaderry, where he met his wife, Denise, and later, bought the newsagency.

When his wife died, he threw his energy into the shop.

"Working from 4am to 6pm for more than 30 years took its toll," his son Lloyd said.

He will be remembered as a pillar of the community in Vincentia and dearly missed.