Mr. Fitzgibbon served on Cessnock Council for 15 years, as mayor from 1981 to 1983 and entered federal parliament in 1984.

Born in 1936, he grew up in Nambucca Heads and came to Cessnock in 1960 when he gained a teaching position at Bellbird Primary School.

He went on to teach English and history at Cessnock High School for almost 20 years; was a first grade footballer with the Cessnock Goannas and was heavily involved in the Apex and Lions Clubs.

Mr. Fitzgibbon’s son Joel – who succeeded his father as Member for Hunter – said his father would be remembered as a champion for the region.

“He was a person who understood the needs of the city and its people very well,” Joel Fitzgibbon said.

“He always fought very hard for Cessnock to be the best place it could be.

“He had great empathy for working people.”

Joel Fitzgibbon said his father spent his last months in a dementia ward at St. Joseph’s Calvary, Sandgate.

He said he was grateful for care that his father received there.

Eric Fitzgibbon is survived by his wife Anne, his children Mark, Joel, Alison and Therese and his grandchildren. 

His funeral will be held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Cessnock this Saturday at 10am.