Mr Cain retired as a partner at King Cain Solicitors two years ago, but had continued to work full-time. He was always the first one in and often the last to leave.

“Peter had two passions in life - his family and his work,” partner Matthew Oakley said yesterday.

“He was really devoted to both.

“He was a touchstone for the rest of us because he was one of the old school solicitors - one of the last around.”

Mr Oakley said barristers from Sydney would often contact Mr Cain for advice, especially in cases relating to Old System Title, something he was an expert in.

“He was one of the last lawyers who had a really good grasp of it,” he said.

Mr Oakley said Mr Cain was also one of those men who would do anything for you.

“He’d give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. I’ve seen him do that for clients.

“He was a fellow to whom all the cliches in the world apply, but they were true,” he said.

Mr Oakley started at King Cain as a clerk in 1992.

“If you didn’t do things right, he told you about it,” he smiled.

“He didn’t suffer fools.”

Peter Cain was born in Orange and raised in Cargo. He had five siblings Sr Jean Cain, Pauline McKenna and Denny, Alan and Adrian Cain.

He won a bursary to St Stanislaus College in 1951 and left in 1955 to join a seminary at Manly where he spent 12 months studying to become a priest.

In 1962 he married Veronica Livermore, a Molong girl. They have four children Peter, Cathy, Stephen and Tim, who all now live in Bathurst. There are also eight beloved grandchildren ranging in age from 3 months to 24 years.

Mr Cain came to Bathurst around 1967 when he was appointed Assistant Clerk of Petty Sessions at Bathurst Courthouse.

In 1969 he left to work at courthouses in West Wyalong, Walgett and Campbelltown and in 1971 resigned from court house work and went to work with solicitor John King at Bathurst. During this time he did his study the hard way, through the Solicitors Admission Board.

He was particularly proud when his youngest son Timothy joined him at the firm.

“He loved his work, but he loved his family more,” Tim said.

“He took great delight in his grandkids, they were his joy in life.”

Peter Cain was also a great supporter of local sport.

“He played cricket for many years - I think his last game was about two years ago,” Tim said.

“He also played football and was a very familiar face at the trots.

“But most of all he loved helping people through his work.

“He helped people when there was no-one else to help them,” Tim said.

A Requiem Mass will be celebrated at St Michael and St John’s Cathedral on Wednesday at 11am.