Hume MP Angus Taylor acknowledged Mr Schultz's "extraordinary service" after hearing of his death in Cootamundra today.

Mr Schultz had been diagnosed with inoperable liver and oesophageal cancer as well as prostate cancer in 2013.

He had worked as Burrinjuck MP for 10 years in the NSW parliament before taking on Hume from 1998 to 2013.

“As the longest-serving member of the Federal electorate of Hume, Alby Schultz will be remembered for his extraordinary service to the people of our region, his towering strength of character and his great love of his family and his country,” Mr Taylor said.

“When I spoke to Alby a few weeks ago, he was, as always, talking about helping people, particularly those without a voice.

"This time it was how we could help men with prostate cancer in the Riverina area.

"He was trying to solve problems right to the end.

"Despite his sickness, he would only reluctantly talk about himself.

"He gained energy from helping others, that enormous energy for which he is so well known.

"As I have moved around the electorate, I hear from so many people about the help he gave them."

Mr Taylor said he had first met Mr Schultz in Parliament House in Canberra.

"He was a straight shooter. You knew exactly where you stood with him and I guess, in many ways, he reflected the values and characteristics of my own father. He asked for loyalty, but he gave it as well," Mr Taylor said.

“He was a genuine conviction politician and I think that’s the highest compliment you can give anyone in this business."

Mr Taylor expressed sympathy to Mr Schultz's widow, Glo, and to his children and grandchildren.

A condolence book would be made available at Mr Taylor's electorate office in Goulburn, Mr Taylor said. 

Grant Schultz said his father had quietly passed away surrounded by family.

"He fought to the last minute," Grant wrote on Facebook. "He left with grace and dignity on his terms."

Alby Schultz was born in Melbourne in 1939 and had worked as a meat processor before joining Cootamundra Shire Council.

An accidental splash of hydrochloric acid to one eye in 2003 had left him partially blinded.