Mr Cojuangco spent many years in contributing greatly to Australia's racing industry, wine industry and economy.

A Facebook post by Gooree Park Mudgee announcing the passing of Mr Cojuangco detailed how he spent his life, going into depth about his passion for the area.

"In 1979 he purchased Gooree Stud in Mudgee, NSW off the Foyster family....he then proceeded to develop a world class horse racing and breeding establishment," the post read.

"Mr Cojuangco loved the challenge of the game [racing] and enjoyed the highs and looked at the lows as character building.

"His contribution to the racing industry has been amazing as was his contribution to his beloved second home - the NSW Central Western Town of Mudgee.

"His passing marks an end of an era both in his homeland of the Philippines and his self-pronounced second home of Australia. He had an amazing love and passion for both countries.

There has never been or never will be someone of the like of Mr Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco Jr. He will be forever missed and loved."

Mid-Western Regional mayor Des Kennedy was first introduced to Mr Cojuangco some 25 years ago, and shared many fond memories of unforgettable moments together.

Mr Kennedy recalled the night of Mr Cojuangco's 60th birthday celebrations that were held in the mid 1990s.

"I will never forget that night. All of these friends and family of his flew out for his party and got a cab from Sydney to Mudgee and back. I remember wondering what all of the cabs were for, it was bizarre, really," he said.

"I knew him quite well, he was an interesting person."

Mr Kennedy continued to share just how prominent his dear friend was in the racing industry that ultimately created many job opportunities, and was a significant booster to the local economy.

"He had a broad knowledge of the racing game, particularly in America. He imported a lot of mares to Australia to strengthen the breeding industry as a whole, and he bred some fabulous group one horses," Des said.

"He was a great contributor to our economy, not only employing a lot of staff but you could imagine just how much feed and produce they would buy to keep their racing game going.

"And, of course he put in thousands of acres of grapes back in the '90s and early 2000s with Gooree Park now one of the biggest contributors to our wine industry.

"He will be sadly missed in our community."

Gooree Park Group of Companies Business Manager, Jeanette Tioseco is one of the many who are mourning the loss of Mr Cojuangco after working closely with him for a consecutive number years.

"From the time I joined Mr Cojuangco's Group of Companies as a Finance Officer in June 1991 in the Philippines my life was never the same," she said.

"When he asked that our family relocate to Australia in late 1999 to help him run his business in Mudgee, there was no hesitation on our part.

"In my 29 years of working for and with him, I have seen why the business community in the Philippines and Asia has respected him so much.

"He was only 24 when he started coming to Australia and 42 years ago decided to invest in Mudgee. His passion for agriculture is very evident as you drive through the property.

"We at Gooree, will forever be grateful to the man and will always hold closely in our hearts the memories we had with him while he was in the farm enjoying his horses, cattle, vineyards, wine and the beauty of Gooree Park."

Mr Cojuangco is someone that changed many lives for the better, and Enrique Reyes is no different.

"When you are young you sometimes get the chance to do something quite special that turns out to be a pivot point for your career and consequentially a foundation for all future success," he said.

"In my case I had a 'what can I lose' attitude when I took the opportunity to transplant my young family from the big city life and move to the rural idyll of Mudgee and the opportunity of working with an undeniably successful businessman in Eduardo Murphy Cojuangco.

"As a Filipino, this opportunity was not lost on me. I was asked to be the eyes and ears of 'The Boss' and took on the role of Managing Director of Gooree Park Holdings.

"Unlike my experience working with San Miguel Corporation (Philippines) working with ECJ or 'the Boss' meant you often had meetings around a generously laden dining table. It also meant you became part of his extended family.

"My family were warmly welcomed and included in so many family occasions that provided our children a cultural experience they otherwise would not have enjoyed in Mudgee or indeed anywhere in the world.

"Eduardo 'Danding' Cojuangco changed the course of my personal history. What had been an almost brash decision, planted me in Mudgee but what kept me and our family there was becoming a part of the wonderful Mudgee Community until my recent retirement.

"Thank you Boss Danding."

Do you have something to say? We welcome your letters which may run in print and online.