This message is part of the late Brian Pratley's legacy, something that lives on through his family, friends and former colleagues.

Mr Pratley died on Thursday, March 12, 15 months after the passing of his wife of 46 years, Dot. He was a father and father-in-law to Liz, Kate and Kain.

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Mr Pratley was a community man, who owned and managed Mittagong Mushrooms from 1982 to 2003 in conjunction with his wife Dot.

He was a respected and active member of the Australian Mushroom Growers Association and a member of the Highlands Golf Club for over 40 years.

The clubhouse flag was flown at half mast in his honour the week after his passing.

Kate said her father grew up in Punchbowl, Sydney in a "poverty-stricken family" post World War II.

Although they did not have a lot of material possessions, it was a very loving family.

"On top of that he and his sister, Joan, suffered from mercury poisoning as toddlers," she said.

"It's believed they got this from the teething powder they were given. They developed Pink's Disease from this. His whole life he only had around 50 per cent lung capacity."

Mr Pratley was sent from Punchbowl to the Highlands when he was eight years old.

He attended Bowral Public School, while he was looked after at a local boarding school as part of the Sydney City Mission.

"It was for his health. They believed the different elevation and fresh air was good for his lungs," Kate said.

"That's where his association with the Southern Highlands started."

As a young adult Mr Pratley put himself through night school to finish the equivalent of his HSC and then an accounting degree.

After this he joined the now-defunct Carpenters company as a graduate, and spent time as an expat in Port Moresby.

During this time he made many lifelong friendships that he held very dear.

During that time, Dot was also posted to Port Moresby as a radiographer however they never met until they had both returned from their overseas postings.

They were soon married on the June 10, 1972.

When the Mittagong mushroom farm went into receivership in the early '80s, he was tasked with the finances.

"While he did it, even though he had no background in farming and mushrooms, he decided it was actually a pretty good business opportunity," Kate said.

While there were some challenges along the way, by the mid '90s the business became successful and produced large quantities of mushrooms where around 20 tonnes were sent to Sydney and Melbourne markets each week.

"He really just loved all the characters, they were salt of the earth and genuine people," Kate said.

"They used to have a big morning tea and lunch room for the growers and office staff.

"There was a big table everyone used to sit around to share meals, it was very collegial. I think everyone really cared about each other. [Many] still keep in touch."

Kate said her father's health challenges framed his attitude to life.

"He was the kind of personality where he believed that you have one crack at life and you wanted to make the best of things," she said.

Mr Pratley's eldest daughter Liz said she would miss her father dearly.

"We miss him and it's a big hole. We're incredibly proud of what he did, particularly because of his health," she said.