Dubbo's Max Laurie OAM was a showman from his first breath to his last.
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But the charismatic owner of rides like the Cha Cha and the Gravitron never sought applause for his decades of service to the amusement industry.
"Dad didn't do what he did for recognition," daughter Jeannie Laurie-Emmett said.
"He just did it because he loved it."
Mr Laurie transported his family and his rides to shows big and small in NSW, Victoria, South Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory.
His support of small and struggling shows in places like Gulargambone "cost him money" but he was determined to help keep them afloat and entertain people.
The third-generation showman mentored competitors, patiently teaching them how to fix their rides.
"He really liked helping the young and up-and-coming showmen," Mrs Laurie-Emmett said.
"He didn't just fix something for them. He showed them how he was fixing it."
President of the Victorian Showmen's Guild since 2002, Mr Laurie served on a committee which developed safety guidelines for the amusement industry in Australia.
"That was one of the reasons Dad was awarded the OAM," Mrs Laurie-Emmett said.
Max Andrew Laurie, 76, died at Dubbo Private Hospital on March 19 after a two-year battle with cancer.
Despite illness, Mr Laurie's family tells of him "never really retiring".
Born in Dubbo in 1942, he attended schools in the city before embracing his destiny with wife Irene by his side.
The "sheltered" Bourke girl, who caught Max Laurie's eye, would be his wife for 49 years and a fan of the life he provided.
A large caravan, equipped with all necessary household items and a big kitchen where Mrs Laurie cooked for family and staff, was home sweet home.
"It was a very exciting life," Mrs Laurie said. "We saw everything and went everywhere."
The Laurie children, Denver and Jeannie, are fourth-generation showmen and proud of their father's passion for making people smile.
"You would often find Dad out the front of the dodgem cars giving people free tickets," Mrs Laurie-Emmett said.
Denver Laurie walked in his father's footsteps late last year when driving through Daylesford in Victoria.
The town's show was under way with "no rides and "nothing for the kids".
"I pulled up to give them something, " Denver Laurie said.
"That's what he would have done."
Max Laurie, "poppy" to his daughter's son Henton, will be farewelled at a service at Holy Trinity Anglican Church from 11am on Thursday.
Abbey Funeral Home advises that a private cremation will follow the service.