The 69-year-old leaves a swathe of important infrastructure projects behind, which have helped shape the Shoalhaven to what it is today, including 240 kilometres of cycleway, 170 kilometres of road sealing and many community buildings.

He also oversaw the start to the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre.

Former Shoalhaven City Mayor Greg Watson worked with Mr Russell for over 30 years and said he had also lost a good friend.

He said since the day Mr Russell began working at council in the ’70s, he was extremely diligent and honest.

“If he said he was going to do something he would do it,” Cr Watson said.

“In the early days he was involved in building design and I think one of his first projects was an amenities block off Kalandar Street [Nowra], which is still standing.

“He progressed over the years and ultimately became our director of city services - in charge of all works and services.”

Cr Watson said Mr Russell was also involved in preparing the city for the 1988 First Fleet Re-enactment in Jervis Bay.

“There were literally hundreds of projects he worked on, including the delivery of projects like the leisure centres at Ulladulla, Bay and Basin and Sussex Inlet.

“He was heavily involved with tennis, a keen player himself, and played an instrumental role in having the tennis complex in Erowal Bay developed.

“Then after his retirement from council in 2006 he worked as a chair at the Nowra Bendigo Bank.”

Mr Watson said it was a tragedy when Mr Russell fell ill.

“Barry left the Shoalhaven a better place than when he came here,” he said.

“I certainly extend my condolences to Mary, his family and close friends.”

Mr Russell was originally from Victoria and lived in Nowra Hill with his family.

Close friend and former council colleague Graham Napper said he will greatly miss Mr Russell’s friendship and support.

“We have always been friends since I first met him in the ’70s at council,” he said.

“I always found him very calm when dealing with difficult situations.”

Mr Napper said Mr Russell had been heavily involved in volunteer work for the community.

“We were both a part of the Apex Club of Nowra,” he said.

“Barry participated in many fundraising activities and services for the community including building playground equipment for children in local parks and reserves.

“He was a great friend.

“He also worked with the RFS, overseeing the construction and upgrades of the 30-plus fire brigade stations across the Shoalhaven.”

Mr Russell was also at the fore of revitalising the concept of the annual Combined Emergency Services Training Camp.

“He often worked night and day,” Mr Napper said.

“He was almost always there for emergencies and was involved in most major fire situations we have had in the Shoalhaven.”

Shoalhaven Rural Fire Service inspector Paul Gooey said he was a great help to many South Coast Rural Fire Brigades.

“He will be sadly missed,” he said.

“I worked with him for a number of years and he was certainly an instrumental part of the brigade.

“He was a tough, but fair man and was a very skilled operator in regards to managing RFS requirements.”

Mr Russell was closely aligned with the Falls Creek fire brigade.

“We have many past members who worked with Barry who all have very fond memories of him,” Mr Gooey said.

Mr Russell’s funeral will be held at Nowra’s St Andrew's Presbyterian Church on Friday, October 3 from 10.30am.