Mr Millen, aged 70, was driving his Holden Commodore station wagon south on the Princes Highway, north of the Village Drive intersection, when his vehicle collided with an oncoming Mitsubishi Triton four-wheel-drive driven by a 55-year-old Ulladulla man.

Police have prepared a report for the coroner who will determine whether a medical condition may have contributed to the crash which closed the highway for more than two hours.

Mr Millen has been heavily involved in the Milton-Ulladulla community since moving to the area with his wife Jennifer 16 years ago.

He was presented with a NSW Seniors Week Local Achievement Award in April last year for his contribution to the community through the Marine Rescue Association, the Milton-Ulladulla TPI Social and Welfare Club, the RSL and Legacy.

Mr Millen spent many hours visiting TPI members who were sick or in need and also looked after the wives of 12 veterans and also many war widows in the area, mowing their lawns and doing odd jobs around the house.

After being presented with his Seniors Award by Member for South Coast Shelley Hancock, Mr Millen said the Milton-Ulladulla community was “like a big family” where people got in and helped each other.

Mrs Hancock said the sudden passing of Mr Millen was a “loss for the South Coast community”.

“I was honoured to host Clive and members of the TPI Social Club in Parliament House recently, a visit to acknowledge the work of Clive’s group and the support they provide to local veterans.

“He was a very modest man and a dear friend to many.

“He was truly a role model to the entire community, someone who gave their all to our region, particularly our members of the ex-serviceman and veteran associations.

“Clive Millen will be dearly missed by all and his loss will impact our entire community.”

Marine rescue Commander Ken Lambert said Clive would be “sadly missed by his mates”.

“Clive joined the Coastal Patrol in 2001 and has spent many years serving our local community as a radio operator, watch officer and land based operations officer,” Mr Lambert said.

Mr Millen was the president of the Ulladulla TPI Association and was on his way to the group's meeting and barbecue at Kendall Cottage when the accident occurred on Monday.

TPI vice president Ross Johnson said members were shocked and called off their meeting immediately after the accident.

"Clive was a regular soldier and did two tours of South Vietnam as a Sergeant in an infantry platoon," Mr Johnson said.

"He lost a lot of his men in an awful accident when a rocket from a friendly plane fell among his men - a loss he always remembered, especially on Vietnam Vets Day.

"Clive helped with vets pensions and welfare and was a great member of our club and we will especially miss him.

"He was to be head of our table running his club and now he is gone...who can believe that?"

Mr Millen had recently returned home to Ulladulla following a four day trip to watch the tennis in Melbourne.

"He told his wife he really had loved it," Mr Johnson said.

Hundreds are expected to attend his funeral, with details available from Milton-Ulladulla Funeral Services in the coming days.