Once at the site, they floated bouquets and petals where their good friend, Gos Cory, had died suddenly the day before.

They were paying tribute to a man with whom they'd formed a firm friendship in just over three years.

The former Goulburn man had been doing what he loved - rowing on the river with friends early in the morning when he passed away. The cause of his death is unknown at this stage.

His family, including longtime partner, Liz Knight, were shocked by his passing. He was just sixty-nine.

The couple was well known in Goulburn as the owners of former bed and breakfast and wedding venue, Bentley Lodge in Clyde Street.

Mr Cory was also a former president of the Goulburn and District Tourism Association for part of last decade. He resigned in 2007.

Former neighbour, real estate agent Angella Storrier, said she and husband Bill were good friends of the couple.

"We loved them to bits. It's so hard to accept because Gos was so fit," she said.

"...He was just a really warm, nice easy man to be around and a gracious host."

Mr Cory was born at Kingsdale on the Crookwell Road on December 30,1949. His mother, Maisie, operated the Kingsdale Post Office and was a baby nurse, Mrs Storrier said.

Mayor Bob Kirk and his brother knew the family well growing up. He and his family lived just up the road on the ground floor of the Kingsdale Hotel.

"We were all in regular contact. My brother and I used to play with Gos and his brother, Edward," he said.

Those were the days when lime burners lived up the nearby Marble Hill Road.

The young Gos was educated at Saint Patrick's College before completing tertiary studies in Accounting, Economics and Psychology at the University of Sydney.

He became an accountant and also worked as a finance director for the publishing and furniture industries

Mr Cory worked in England for several years but moved back to Sydney in 1972 after his mother died.

Mr Cory met Liz in 1985 and became lifelong partners in 1988. The couple lived in Sydney until 1999 and then decided to move back to Goulburn. They purchased Bentley Lodge, named after Mr Cory's favourite car, and made it their home before deciding to add a bed and breakfast and open it for wedding functions.

The sprawling garden, in which they both loved spending time, loaned itself to the venture.

"Gos was passionate about tourism," Mrs Storrier said.

"Bentley Lodge was on TV (a tourism program). Liz was a great cook and Gos a fabulous host."

When Mrs Storrier was Goulburn Chamber Of Commerce president in 2002-03, the group held business after hours meetings at Bentley Lodge.

The property was also ideal for his beloved car collection. Mr Cory was also a keen motorcyclist and often joined in club rides around the district.

Mr Cory was as a contractor for the Tax Office in Canberra, working long days, and was also employed by other government departments. But there was always time for a catch-up with his many friends. The Storriers shared many common interests with them.

"We spent good quality time together, usually over food and wine. We also both loved travelling," Mrs Storrier said.

Mr Cory retired about five years ago and did exactly that. Each year he and Ms Knight travelled to France and Italy.

Three and a half years ago they sold Bentley Lodge and moved to Noosa. Mr Cory maintained a strong interest in historic cars and bought a commercial unit to house his large collection.

He was an active member of the Noosa Road Runners Car Club and the Noosa Yacht and Rowing Club. Mr Cory also kept up his love of cycling and motorbike riding.

Yet he never forgot his hometown. Mr Cory forged close friendships with his former Saint Patrick's College classmates and kept in contact with them

"He loved Gouburn," Mrs Storrier said.

"He came back regularly and always caught up with friends. He had a lot."

The Storriers were due to visit the couple at Noosa but had delayed their trip for another few weeks for medical reasons.

Mrs Storrier said she and Bill would greatly miss their friend.

"It's a big loss. He was just a damned good friend," she said.

Cr Kirk said he was saddened to hear of Mr Cory's passing. The council is writing to the family acknowledging his community contribution.

"It's a difficult time for the family and we extend our condolences," he said.

Funeral details are yet to be finalised.

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