Mr Pyne, who was mayor from 1995 to 1999, passed away on July 3, aged 79.

Born on December 28, 1938, his first home was the Rising Sun Inn at Millfield, before the family moved to a dairy farm at Cedar Creek two years later.

Like many couples of their generation, he and wife Daphne met at a dance at the Lyceum Hall in Cessnock.

They were married at St Luke’s Millfield on December 21, 1957 (celebrating their 60^th anniversary last year).

Before his days on Cessnock City Council, Mr Pyne ran a successful trucking and earthmoving business for many years.

He sold the business in 1990 and was elected to council as an independent councillor two years later.

He became mayor in 1995, after running on a platform for a progressive, open and accessible council.

Following his four-year stint as mayor, he went on to serve another term as a councillor before retiring at the 2004 election.

In announcing his retirement, Mr Pyne said the Cessnock City Centre (Coles/Target) development was one of the most satisfying projects he had been involved with, and he was also proud to have been part of the early discussions in the establishment of Hunter Valley Gardens.

Currently-serving independent councillor Ian Olsen, who was elected to council as part of Mr Pyne’s team in 1995, said the former mayor was a great mentor and mate to him.

“I will be forever grateful to him for helping me get started and giving me the opportunity to represent the residents of Cessnock,” Cr Olsen said.

“He always gave me good advice on how to represent those that support you.

“Merv was always there for me if I needed a chat and he had so much knowledge of council and how it all worked.

“I will miss him and our chats about life. He believed in me and was never critical of my actions.

“I can say he would let me know if I was getting off track and forgetting the ratepayers.

“My life has been so much better for meeting Merv, a humble man who worked hard for his family and the community.

“He will be missed by many and never forgotten. I know I will miss him and it was a sad day when I heard the news.”

Mr Pyne’s community involvement continued after his retirement from council. He was an active member of organisations including Cessnock Lions Club and the Cessnock Showground committee for many years.

Above all, Mr Pyne lived for his family.

In a eulogy written by his daughter Joy Clarke, he was remembered as a “remarkable man and a remarkable father, he was a mentor, a source of constant encouragement and wisdom, a loving father a friend and an umbrella in a storm to each of his children”.

“His grandchildren and great grandchildren, all loved spending time with Pa,” she said.

“He had an inherent ability to listen, to absorb, and to offer a point of few based on quiet measured wisdom and ensured that they were all treated equally, inspired and encouraged to grow into strong independent people.

“No matter where they were or what they were doing they knew that Pa was only a phone call away if they needed his support, advice or just a chat.”

Mr Pyne’s funeral service was held at St John’s Anglican Church, Cessnock on July 9.

He is survived by Daphne; their children Neville, Joy and Greg; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Mrs Pyne thanked her family, friends and neighbours for their support during this sad time.